Polaris: A new two-dimensional lattice physics analysis capability for the SCALE code system

Matthew A. Jessee, William A. Wieselquist, Thomas M. Evans, Steven P. Hamilton, Joshua J. Jarrell, Kang Seog Kim, Jordan P. Lefebvre, Robert A. Lefebvre, Ugur Mertyurek, Adam B. Thompson, Mark L. Williams

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polaris is a new 2-dimensional (2-D) lattice physics capability in the SCALE code system for the analysis of light water reactor fuel designs. In this paper, the Polaris calculational methods are summarized and results are provided for a series of computational benchmarks. The summary includes the implementation of the relatively new resonance self-shielding approach called the embedded self-shielding method, the implementation of a new 2-D method-of-characteristics neutron transport solver, and the integration of the SCALE/ORIGEN depletion and decay solver for depleting material compositions. Polaris calculations are compared with reference continuous energy Monte Carlo solutions for a UO2 fuel computational benchmark. Because Polaris is integrated into the SCALE code system, Polaris has been utilized as part of the new SCALE/Sampler code sequence, which provides stochastic uncertainty analysis for the impact of cross-section uncertainties on lattice physics calculations. SCALE/Sampler results are summarized for selected benchmark calculations.

Original languageEnglish
StatePublished - 2014
Event2014 International Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2014 - Kyoto, Japan
Duration: Sep 28 2014Oct 3 2014

Conference

Conference2014 International Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2014
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityKyoto
Period09/28/1410/3/14

Funding

The authors would like to thank the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Research for its support in the development of Polaris. Notice: This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. Notice: This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes.

FundersFunder number
United States Government
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory CommissionDE-AC05-00OR22725

    Keywords

    • Cross-section uncertainty analysis
    • Lattice physics

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