PyARC - A user-friendly open-source reactor physics framework for fast reactor design and analysis

The Workbench initiative sponsored under the DOE-NE Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program aims at providing a common user interface for model creation, real-time validation, execution, output processing, and visualization for integrated codes. In particular, the Argonne Reactor Computation (ARC) suite of codes enable robust, efficient and extensive fast reactor modeling capabilities that include neutronics, thermal hydraulics, safety, and fuel behavior analysis codes. The Extended ARC suite of codes are integrated into the NEAMS Workbench user interface through the open-source PyARC module. PyARC is a Python-based module that links the Workbench user interface to the ARC codes by providing the logic for processing the native code inputs, running them, and postprocessing the outputs. Current version 1.6.0 of PyARC enables the neutronics and subchannel thermal-hydraulics modeling capabilities of the ARC codes. This approach reduces the learning curve and improves user experience of ARC users, while reducing risks of modeling mistakes. PyARC is also meant at enabling new modeling capabilities and facilitating transition to high-fidelity NEAMS codes such as Griffin. (authors)