Derivation of optimal process MOC parameters and analysis of the 2D C5G7 MOX benchmark using DRAGON5 code

Abstract

This work uses the Characteristics Methods (MOC) implemented in the lattice DRAGON5 code to analyze the 2D C5G7 MOX Benchmark. This method was performed using the MCCGT: module of DRAGON5, this module includes parameters that affect the results. So, a sensitivity study was necessary to find the optimum parameters. The eigenvalues calculated by DRAGON5 code agree well with the reference Monte Carlo code MCNP, and also with the OpenMC code with a percent error of just 0.001% and 0.004% respectively. Compared to the Monte Carlo code OpenMC, the maximum percentage error of assembly power, the maximum and the average percentage error of pin power are 0.07%, 0.85% and 0.13%, respectively.Based on the accuracy of the results and on the computational cost, the sensitivity study of various MOC parameters reveals that the 2D C5G7 benchmark problem requires: between 16 and 32 for the azimuthal angles, more than 10 cm-1 for the ray density and 8 × 8 for the special mesh.