An homogenization procedure for cross sections of PWR fuel elements

The cross section homogenization problem of PWR fuel assemblies, as modeled by the 2 group diffusion equations with reflective boundary conditions, is solved by a perturbative algorithm. The method is based on the calculation of sensitivity coefficients through harmonic expansion of the adjoint flux. As the resulting series can be numerically summed, the algo-algorithm is equivalent to the use of analytical formulas. Numerical results of a test case are presented and compared with those obtained by the diffusion code CITATION. (author)