Help debugging MCNP code - particle lost and zero latice element found

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on troubleshooting a particle lost error in MCNP code, specifically related to geometry errors in the lattice. Users are advised to utilize the interactive plotter feature in MCNP, accessed via the command line with the command "mcnp5 ip inp=file". The issue arises from improper cell definitions, particularly with cell 99, which is identified as a void cell. Recommendations include redefining the reflectors with simple surfaces to facilitate correct void cell definition.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with MCNP (Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code) version 5
  • Understanding of 3-D geometry modeling and cell definitions
  • Knowledge of using the interactive plotter feature in MCNP
  • Basic command line operations for executing MCNP commands
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the MCNP manual for detailed instructions on using the interactive plotter
  • Learn how to define cells and surfaces correctly in MCNP
  • Explore best practices for troubleshooting geometry errors in MCNP models
  • Investigate the implications of using macrobody surfaces versus simple surfaces in MCNP
USEFUL FOR

MCNP users, nuclear engineers, and researchers involved in particle transport simulations who need to debug geometry-related issues in their models.

AlexFi
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TL;DR
Help identify gap in geometry or something
I keep getting particle lost error even though there were no hole in the lattice.
Can someone identify any mistake in my code?
 

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The first thing to do is fire-up the plotting package that comes with MCNP. Look for those dotted lines around some cells. These indicate geometry errors.

In an MCNP model, every part of 3-D space must be filled with exactly one cell. There must be no gaps that are not part of a defined cell. And no point can be part of more than one cell.
 
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To give a few more hints, search for "interactive plotter" in the manual and use the "ip" option on the command line.
 
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I ran mcnp5 ip inp=file
i means process the input file, p means plot the geometry in the interactive plotter.
I click on the "Click here or picture or menu" and type "pz 0" to get a cross section through the reactor. Nothing is coloured in, everywhere I click on the plot is cell 99. This strongly suggests an error in the definition of cell 99, the void cell. Without having much time to look into it :5:6 where 5 and 6 are macrobody surfaces "Top reflector" and "Bottom reflector" feels wrong. Defining those reflectors with simple surfaces rather than macrobodies might make defining the void cell easier.
 

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