Code-to-code comparisons of lattice physics calculations for thorium-augmented and thorium-based fuels in pressure tube heavy water reactors

Abstract

Code-to-code comparisons of lattice physics calculations were made for a series of fuels that could potentially be used in a conventional 700-MWe class pressure tube heavy water reactor to improve the sustainability of the fuel cycle. Studies were performed for natural uranium, slightly enriched uranium and thorium-based fuels containing low enriched uranium, reactor grade plutonium, or 233UO2 as the initial fissile driver. The collision probabilities lattice code WIMS-AECL was compared to the stochastic code MCNP using the ENDF/B-VII.0 nuclear data library. Specific parameters that were studied between models include k-infinity, coolant void reactivity, 89-group cell averaged fluence, and ring-by-ring linear element ratings. The calculations performed have demonstrated that physics parameters estimated by WIMS-AECL are consistent with MCNP, especially for fuel where the main fissile component is uranium-based.