Science and Technology of Nuclear InstallationsVolume 2011 (2011), Article ID 584256, 8 pagesdoi:10.1155/2011/584256

Research Article

Calculation of the Effective Delayed Neutron Fraction by Deterministic and Monte Carlo Methods

M. Carta,¹ S. Dulla,² V. Peluso,³ P. Ravetto,² and G. Bianchini¹

¹ENEA, C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Roma, Italy²Dipartimento di Energetica, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy³ENEA, C.R.E. E. Clementel, Via Martiri di Monte Sole 4, 40129 Bologna, Italy

Received 7 March 2011; Accepted 5 May 2011

Academic Editor: Antonio Alvim

Copyright © 2011 M. Carta et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

The studies on Accelerator-Driven Systems (ADSs) have renewed the interest in the theoretical and computational evaluation of the main integral parameters characterizing subcritical systems (e.g., reactivity, effective delayed neutron fraction , and mean prompt neutron generation time). In particular, some kinetic parameters, as the effective delayed neutron fraction, are evaluated in Monte Carlo codes by formulations which do not require the calculation of the adjoint flux. This paper is focused on a theoretical and computational analysis about how the different definitions are connected and which are the approximations inherent to the Monte Carlo definition with respect to the standard definition involving weighted integrals. By means of a refined transport computational analysis carried out in a coherent and consistent way, that is, using the same deterministic code and neutron data library for the evaluation in different ways, the theoretical analysis is numerically confirmed. Both theoretical and numerical results confirm the effectiveness of the Monte Carlo evaluation, at least in cases where spectral differences between total and prompt fluxes are negligible with respect to the value of the functionals entering the classical formulation.

1. Introduction

The studies on Accelerator-Driven Systems (ADSs) have renewed the interest in the theoretical and computational evaluation of the main integral parameters characterizing subcritical systems (e.g., reactivity, effective delayed neutron fraction, and mean neutron generation time [1]). In particular, the extensive use of Monte Carlo codes for the analysis of the ADS neutronic behaviour is challenging the deterministic codes, used in the past for the analysis of critical systems, for what concerns the capability to reproduce Monte Carlo results, usually taken as reference [2–4]. Nevertheless, some particular parameters, as the effective delayed neutron fraction, are evaluated in Monte Carlo codes by formulations which do not require the calculation of the adjoint flux. The assessment of the various formulations of the effective delayed neutron fraction is crucial for the system evaluation, since it plays an important role in determining its dynamic characteristics [5]. This paper is focused on a theoretical and computational analysis on the connections among the different definitions, with special attention to the approximations inherent to the Monte Carlo definition with respect to the standard definition involving weighted integrals. Theoretical results show how the Monte Carlo formulation of may be related to the classical definition, interpreting the classical one through a reactivity evaluation based on an “improved” first-order approach of perturbation theory. The computational analysis is carried out in a coherent and consistent way, using the same deterministic code and neutron data library for the evaluations. A simplified system allows to investigate the features of the various procedures and to use the results to obtain a physical insight. The GUINEVERE system is then selected as a relevant test case for ADS technology. The GUINEVERE experience [6, 7], mainly devoted to the issues concerning online reactivity monitoring in ADS, is analysed by using a modified layout of the VENUS critical facility located at the SCK•CEN site in Mol, Belgium, coupling the subcritical core facility to a deuteron accelerator delivering 14 MeV neutrons by deuterium-tritium reactions, by a continuous or pulsed beam. For the GUINEVERE experience the ERANOS system [8] and neutron data library JEFF 3.1 [9] have been used to perform transport calculations with 49 energy groups for a cylindrical schematization of the GUINEVERE start-up (at critical) configuration. The analysis of the results allows to draw some conclusions on the merits and the limits of the various formulations.

2. Theoretical Analysis

2.1. The General Case

Let us take as reference system the following eigenvalue problem: where is the loss operator, the fission operator, and , inverse of the classical multiplication eigenvalue. Then, a perturbation is introduced in the system. As a consequence, the eigenvalue problem for the perturbed system is with as the perturbed flux. Following the exact approach of the Perturbation Theory (PT) [10], that is, considering the adjoint problem corresponding to the reference system one obtains (the symbol denotes integration over the full phase space, while, in the following, is denoting integration only over the specified variable ): or equivalently If , we can write (4) in terms of the eigenvalue: If we write (2) as and follow the first-order PT approach, while retaining the second-order term , we obtain the “improved” first-order formulation or, in terms of the eigenvalue,

2.2. The “Prompt” Perturbation

If the perturbation is assumed to be equal to the delayed neutrons fission operator , hence , the perturbed system given in (2) can be written as with the perturbed flux given by the prompt flux and . Then (6) becomes and (9) takes the following form: Thus, the effective delayed neutron fraction is an “improved” PT first-order formulation of the relationship , widely used in Monte Carlo codes as estimator. The pure PT first-order formulation provides: To pass from (11) to (12), it is sufficient to replace by .

3. Standard and Monte Carlo Formulations

The effectiveness of delayed neutrons is normally obtained by one of the following two relationships: where is the fissile isotope index, the delayed neutron family index, the delayed neutron spectrum for fissile isotope and delayed neutron family (basic data), the total neutron spectrum for fissile isotope , the average value of delayed neutrons emitted from fissile isotope and delayed neutron family , for a given incident neutron spectrum (from basic data), the total neutrons emitted from fissile isotope , and the macroscopic fission cross section for fissile isotope .

Furthermore, with being the average value of the number of total neutrons emitted from the fissile isotope for a given incident neutron spectrum ( has to be calculated by a cell or system neutronic calculation). In (14) and (15) the direct flux and the adjoint flux are solutions for the following eigenvalue equations, respectively: Current Monte Carlo (MC) calculations approximate by the following formula: where is the multiplication eigenvalue of the equation Equation (20) is written in a general form, taking into account the spatial dependence of the delayed emission fraction on position . In this case is given byIf we consider the system governed by (20) as a perturbation of the system governed by (17), we obtain as exact perturbation (11), that is,where is the eigenfunction of (18) and the eigenfunction of (20). When comparing (22) with (15), it can be noticed that, besides the replacement of by , the differences lie in the presence of the terms (under integration) replacing the terms . If we assume in both (20) and (22) the following approximation: equation (20) takes the following form: and (22) becomes

As shown in the previous section, the classical definition given in (15) is an “improved” PT first-order approximation of the relationship given in (25). Along the point of view of the perturbation approach, leading to a relationship among system integral properties like the eigenvalues and the delayed neutron effectiveness, (24) and (25) are intimately coupled, in the sense that the coherent prompt flux to be used in the definition given by (25) is the eigenfunction of (24). We recall that (24) is an approximation of (20), owing to the assumption given in (23). If we want to remove this assumption, we have to make explicit the definition given in (21) and insert it into (20), thus obtaining Following the same perturbation approach, that is, perturbed system given by (26) and unperturbed system given by (17), we find

Analogously, the classical definition given in (14) is an “improved” PT first-order approximation of the relationship given in (27). Also in this case (26) and (27) are intimately coupled, in the sense that the coherent prompt flux to be used in the definition given by (27) is the eigenfunction of (26). The previous elaboration can be summarized in the following way:(a)as introduced in the previous section, the classical definitions, like those given in (14) and (15), which do not require any prompt flux calculation, are “improved” PT first-order approximations of the relationship used by Monte Carlo calculations;(b)the relationship provides a estimate coherent with the assumptions made when performing the prompt flux calculation, that is, (24) provides the estimate given by (25), and (26) provides the estimate given by (27).

4. ERANOS Formalism and Calculation Set up

The following formulation is adopted in ERANOS [11] (given in the energy multigroup scheme, with g as energy group index): where is a unique delayed neutron spectrum (derived from basic data) for each fissile isotope , delayed neutron family i, and The quantity is a unique fission spectrum, used by ERANOS for spatial calculations, for all the fissile isotopes. The weighting flux is obtained by the fuel cell cross section calculation. In (28) the direct flux and the adjoint flux are solutions for the following eigenvalue equations, respectively:.

It can be seen that, besides the approximation on the delayed neutron spectrum and on the total fission spectrum, (28) is the energy-multigroup version of (14). Considering as perturbed state with respect to the reference state in (30) the solution for the following equation: we obtain as exact perturbation

On the basis of the theory outlined in the previous section, (28) is the “improved” PT first-order approximation of (33). Unfortunately, ERANOS cannot calculate the solution for (32) and consequently (33) cannot be applied because, as mentioned before, it uses a unique fission spectrum for all the fissile isotopes (and in (32) both and the various appear). In addition, to use (for our scopes) the modules built-in in ERANOS we need a further assumption, that is, we have to evaluate with as weighting flux obtained by the cell cross-section calculation. Thus, our new reference state is given by the following equation: with the associated adjoint where (of course, because of (34), (37) provides the same result as (29)): Then, setting Equation (32) becomes

On the basis of (16), (39) is equivalent to: Considering now (39) as the perturbed state with respect to the reference state in (35), taking into account (38), we obtain The corresponding “improved” PT first-order approximation of (41) is and Equation (39), both sides of (41) and (42) can be calculated by ERANOS.

5. ERANOS Results

The GUINEVERE system, shown in Figure 1, is selected to perform the numerical analysis. The fuel fissile zone is made of Uranium 30% (weight) enriched in U₂₃₅. The fuel matrix has the following volumetric fractions: Uranium 17%, Stainless Steel 16%, Lead 60% and Air 7%. The zone Air + SS Sheet has the following volumetric fractions: Stainless Steel 93% and Air 7%. The RZ system is a simplified schematization of the GUINEVERE start-up (at critical) configuration (after start-up the central zone is replaced by the beam tube of the deuteron accelerator delivering, in continuous or pulsed mode, 14 MeV neutrons by deuterium-tritium reactions).

Figure 1: Simplified RZ model of the GUINEVERE start-up (at critical) configuration. Dimensions, not in scale, are given in cm.

ERANOS transport calculations are performed with 49 energy groups (see the appendix), P₀ transport approximation, and angular quadrature S₄ (module BISTRO [8]). The neutron data library JEFF 3.1 [9] is used for the calculations. In Table 1 the delayed neutron data [12] used for the analysis are shown. Delayed neutron spectra are the ones built-in in ERANOS and taken from [12].

Table 1: Delayed neutron data (from [12]).

Family
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Sum

U₂₃₅
0.00055
0.00245
0.00162
0.00326
0.00509
0.00152
0.00142
0.00039
0.01630

U₂₃₈
0.00039
0.00484
0.00174
0.00637
0.01367
0.00921
0.00595
0.00433
0.04650

The following values were obtained by (28): =2.49 and =2.75. This high value is due to the fact that about 61% of total fissions occur in the energy range 2 ÷ 8 MeV, where values span from 2.67 to 3.48 (only about 5% of total fissions occur above 2 MeV). In Figure 2 a comparison between the total fission spectrum obtained by (37) and the prompt fission spectrum obtained by (38) is shown. In Table 2 a synthesis of the results is reported.

Table 2: Synthesis of the results.

Case
Equation
k
kp
(pcm)
1−kp/k (pcm)

(a)
(28) for

723

(b)
(31) for φ
1.01955

(c)
(31) for φ ⁺
1.01955

(d)
(35) for φ
1.02149

(e)
(36) for φ ⁺
1.02149

(f)
(39) for φ p

1.01402

(g)
(41) for 1−kp/k

732

(h)
(41) for (using φ p)

732

(i)
(42) for (using φ)

731

Table 3: The 49 energy group scheme.

Upper energy (eV)
Group #
Upper energy (eV)
Group #
Upper energy (eV)
Group #
Upper energy (eV)
Group #

1.96E + 07
1
2.470E + 06
14
1.11E + 05
27
1.49E + 02
40

1.73E + 07
2
2.23E + 06
15
6.74E + 04
28
9.17E + 01
41

1.49E + 07
3
2.02E + 06
16
4.09E + 04
29
6.79E + 01
42

1.38E + 07
4
1.65E + 06
17
2.48E + 04
30
4.02E + 01
43

1.16E + 07
5
1.35E + 06
18
1.50E + 04
31
2.26E + 01
44

1.00E + 07
6
1.22E + 06
19
9.12E + 03
32
1.37E + 01
45

8.19E + 06
7
1.11E + 06
20
5.53E + 03
33
8.32E + 00
46

6.70E + 06
8
1.00 + 06
21
3.35E + 03
34
4.000E + 00
47

6.07E + 06
9
9.07E + 05
22
2.03E + 03
35
5.40E − 01
48

5.49E + 06
10
8.21E + 05
23
1.23E + 03
36
1.00E − 01
49

4.49E + 06
11
4.98E + 05
24
7.49E + 02
37

3.68E + 06
12
3.02E + 05
25
4.54E + 02
38

3.04E + 06
13
1.83E + 05
26
3.04E + 02
39

Figure 2: Total fission spectrum (37) and prompt fission spectrum (38).

Case (a) is the classical formulation adopted in ERANOS, with and from cases (b) and (c), respectively. Cases (d) and (e) differ from (b) and (c) for the presence of in the fission production terms, and this approximation provides a difference of +186 pcm with respect to the standard treatment of the fission production terms. The prompt case (f), again with the presence of in the fission production terms, provides a difference of −721 pcm (~) with respect to cases (d) and (e).

Case (g), representing the approach used by Monte Carlo calculations, provides exactly the same value as in case (h), that is, the last term in (41). This numerical result confirms the theoretical analysis described above, linking the Monte Carlo formulation to the PT approach. Finally, case (i) shows that the replacement of the prompt flux in case (h) by the total flux does not affect appreciably the value (at least for the fast system considered).

Actually, the differences between and , from cases (d) and (f) in Table 2, respectively, are not remarkable, as it can be seen from Figure 3 (where and are undistinguishable). and in Figure 3 are spatial average values over the core volume, same area under and curves.

Figure 3: Total and prompt fluxes, together with spectral differences . ( from case (f) and from case (d) in Table 2, spectral differences on right axis).

6. Conclusions

When evaluating by the relationship , the quality of the obtained results depends on the quality of the description of the delayed neutron emissions assumed in the prompt calculation. It could seem obvious, but if we look at the standard route used in ERANOS (and in general in deterministic codes) to calculate , by a formulation which does not require any prompt flux calculation, we realize that great detail is given to the characteristics of the delayed neutron emission through the formulation, and without the need to transpose such a detail into a full system prompt neutron calculation. For example, in the ERANOS case, it is not possible to set up a prompt calculation having the same quality of the delayed neutron emission description available in the formulation. And, in fact, in the present case we are obliged to lower the level of the information about the delayed neutron emission in the definition in order to run the corresponding prompt calculation.

Following the perturbation theory approach, a rigorous relationship may be established between the evaluation by the formula , used in Monte Carlo codes, and the corresponding calculation by the classical formulation involving direct and adjoint fluxes, and it has been shown how the classical formulation can be considered an “improved” PT first-order formulation of the formula . By means of a transport computational analysis using a 49 energy group structure and carried out in a coherent and consistent way, that is, using the same deterministic code ERANOS and neutron data library JEFF 3.1 for the evaluation in different ways, the theoretical analysis is numerically confirmed.

Both theoretical and numerical results confirm the effectiveness of the evaluation by the relationship , at least in cases where spectral differences between total and prompt fluxes are negligible with respect to the value of the functionals entering the classical formulation. For other material configurations more investigations are needed to obtain a detailed quantification of the effects involved.

Appendix

The 49 energy group structure, presented in Table 3, has been adopted in order to capture the various spectral phenomena associated to the source-driven subcritical assembly. Different built-in energy group grids are available into ERANOS. In this work the base library at 1968 energy groups, together with two derived energy grids at 172 and 33 energy groups, has been used to produce the cross sections. The 49 energy group structure has been obtained using the standard 33 energy group below 0.82 MeV and the finest 172 energy group above this energy in order to better take into account the D-T neutron external source foreseen for the GUINEVERE subcritical configurations (neutron energy at about 14 MeV).

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