Numerical benchmarks TRIPOLI − MCNP with use of MCAM on FNG ITER bulk shield and FNG HCLL TBM mock-up experiments

Abstract

3D Monte Carlo (MC) transport codes are of first importance for the assessment of breeding blankets neutronic performances. This article supported by the EFDA Goal Oriented Training Program Eurobreed presents the difference in results between the CEA MC code TRIPOLI-4 and MCNP on two fusion neutronics benchmarks, assessing therefore TRIPOLI-4 calculation capabilities on shielding and tritium production rate (TPR). The first selected benchmark, assessing the shielding capability, is the Frascati neutron generator (FNG) ITER bulk shield experiment whereas the second benchmark, assessing the TPR calculation, is the preliminary design of the FNG helium cooled lithium–lead (HCLL) test blanket module (TBM) mock-up. To ensure the consistency of the geometry description, MCAM tool is used for automatic TRIPOLI − MCNP geometry conversions and check. A good coherence between TRIPOLI-4 and MCNP for neutron flux, reaction rates and TPR calculations is obtained. Moreover, it appears that MCAM performs fast, automatic and appropriate TRIPOLI − MCNP geometry conversions and finally that the tabulated FNG neutron source model from KIT is appropriate for TRIPOLI-4 calculations.