Criticality calculations on pebble-bed HTR-PROTEUS configuration as a validation for the pseudo-scattering tracking method implemented in the MORET 5 Monte Carlo code
B. Forestier, J. Miss, F. Bernard, A. Dorval, O. Jacquet, B. Verboomen
PHYSOR 2010, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, May 9-14, 2010
Abstract
The MORET code is a three dimensional Monte Carlo criticality code. It is designed to calculate the effective multiplication factor (keff) of
any geometrical configuration as well as the reaction rates in the various volumes and the neutron leakage out of the system. A recent development for the
MORET code consists of the implementation of an alternate neutron tracking method, known as the pseudo-scattering tracking method. This method has been
successfully implemented in the MORET code and its performances have been tested by mean of an extensive parametric study on very simple geometrical
configurations.
In this context, the goal of the present work is to validate the pseudo-scattering method against realistic configurations. In this perspective, pebble-bed
cores are particularly well-adapted cases to model, as they exhibit large amount of volumes stochastically arranged on two different levels (the pebbles in
the core and the TRISO particles inside each pebble).
This paper will introduce the techniques and methods used to model pebble-bed cores in a realistic way. The results of the criticality calculations, as well
as the pseudo-scattering tracking method performance in terms of computation time, will also be presented.
