Solving Neutron Problems with Commercial Finite Element Method Codes

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The discussion centers on the feasibility of using commercial finite element method code like ANSYS to solve neutron transport and diffusion problems in nuclear reactors. Current methods typically involve separate calculations for fuel assemblies and the reactor core, utilizing specialized codes like CASMO and SIMULATE. Participants express skepticism about ANSYS's applicability for neutronics, noting that existing codes like DENOVO and MPACT are specifically designed for this purpose. A critical point raised is the necessity of a cross-section library for accurate calculations, which ANSYS lacks in this context. Overall, there is a consensus that ANSYS is not suitable for solving complex neutronics problems in nuclear engineering.
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As I know, the method to solve neutron problem is divided into two steps now, neutron transport calculation for fuel assemblies and neutron diffusion calculation for whole reactor core, both using specified code such as CASMO and SIMULATE from STUSVIK. I want to know whether the commercial finite element method code such as ANSYS can be edited to solve neutron problem by one step, using fine energy group structure. For the code like ANSYS has very good expansibility and is very suitable for the HPC calculation, we may have a code not very fast but can work on HPC cluster to get accurate solution for neutron problem. Is there any efforts on such work had been done by any institute or company all over the world?
 
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I don't believe anyone is seriously proposing to solve fuel rod/assembly/core neutronics with ANSYS. However, there are efforts to build 3D FEA-based neutronics codes, e.g., DENOVO and MPACT (derived from DeCART).

One needs a cross-section library for each assembly lattice as a function of burnup. CASMO is the cross-section library for SIMULATE. SIMULATE has a simple fuel rod model for calculating fuel temperature and a relatively simple thermal-hydraulics model for developing the coolant (moderator) state. I don't see the value in doing this with ANSYS.
 


Yes, I can't see ANSYS being useful in this application.
 

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