Validation study of depletion calculations performed with a Monte-Carlo code

Burnup Credit implementation requires a precise fuel characterization. The increase of computer calculation power makes it nowadays possible to perform Monte-Carlo burnup calculations which are of major interest for spent fuel characterization, but also for burnup calculations in geometrical configurations other than standard ones. The studies presented in this paper investigate the validation of two of these Monte-Carlo burnup codes (MONTEBURNS and VESTA) and explore different conceivable ways to optimize the calculations, which consists in decreasing the calculation time while conserving the calculation precision. Aside from these validation and optimization studies, attempts are also made to establish a radial burnup map for a UOX assembly and a calculated axial profile of burnup for a UOX fuel rod. (authors)