Application of wavelets scaling function expansion method in resonance self-shielding calculation

Abstract

The wavelets expansion method is widely used in various fields due to its powerful ability to simulate the oscillating functions. This method is applied to discretize the energy variable of neutron angular flux within the resonant energy range. Meanwhile, the conventional multi-group method is applied in fast and thermal energy ranges. This coupled method can obtain the problem-dependent continuous-energy neutron flux spectrum within the resonant energy range. The method of characteristics (MOC) is employed as a space-variable solver in this paper to keep the powerful capability of dealing with the complex geometry problems. A pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel cell problem with UO2 fuel (UOX) and mixed oxide fuel (MOX), and a cylindrical cluster fuel problem are calculated by utilizing this coupled method. Results of these problems are all in good agreement with the results of the Monte Carlo statistical transport code MCNP. It is concluded that this is a valuable method to solve the resonance self-shielding calculation problems in a complex geometry, and it is promising to be applicable for realistic reactor problems.