Development of three-dimensional nuclear design program for large fast breeder reactor

The report describes a calculation program for core design, called HICOM, and its calculation accuracy. HICOM is designed for three-dimensional neutron diffusion calculation and combustion calculation for large fast breeder reactors to be conducted according to a control rod plan and fuel replacement plan. The improved coarse mesh technique is applied to neutron diffusion calculation. It is demostrated that HICOM permits rapid and accurate operation. For the evaluation of the applicability of HICOM, three-dimensional six-group neutron diffusion calculation is conducted for a 1,000 MWe axial heterogeneous FBR core. Results demonstrate that the program can perform numerical calculation in a time period shorter than 1-40 that for calculation by CITATION (triangle mesh method). This is achieved by using the improved coarse mesh method and carrying out the operation by a vectorial procedure. For the evaluation of the nuclear calculation accuracy of HICOM, analysis is made of reactivity, output distribution and B4C control rod worth emasured in an FCA criticality experiment carried out by the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute. Calculations are found to agree with measurements within a permissible error. The same level of calculation accuracy is obtained for homogneous core, axial heterogeneous core and cores with internal blankets with different forms. (Nogami, K.)