Use of Serpent Monte-Carlo code for development of 3D full-core models of Gen-IV fast spectrum reactors and preparation of safety parameters/cross-section data for transient analysis with FAST code system

Current work presents a new methodology which uses Serpent Monte-Carlo (MC) code for generating multi-group beginning-of-life (BOL) cross section (XS) database file that is compatible with PARCS 3D reactor core simulator and allows simulation of transients with the FAST code system. The applicability of the methodology was tested on European Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (ESFR) design with an oxide fuel proposed by CEA (France). The k-effective, power peaking factors and safety parameters (such as Doppler constant, coolant density coefficient, fuel axial expansion coefficient, diagrid expansion coefficients and control rod worth) calculated by PARCS/TRACE were compared with the results of the Serpent MC code. The comparison indicates overall reasonable agreement between conceptually different (deterministic and stochastic) codes. The new development makes it in principle possible to use the Serpent MC code for cross section generation for the PARCS code to perform transient analyses for fast reactors. The advantages and limitations of this methodology are discussed in the paper. (author)