Small modular reactor core neutronic evaluation via Monte Carlo method

The main purpose of this study is a core neutronic parameter evaluation via the Monte Carlo method, for the SMART reactor which is a certified design Small Modular Reactor (SMR). The SMART neutronic parameters such as axial and radial distributions of neutron fluxes, Power Peaking Factors (PPFs), effective delayed neutron fraction, xenon and samarium effects, burnup calculation and neutron flux energy spectrum have been assessed. Daily load follow operation in soluble-boron-free with control regulating banks is one of the best SMART reactor core advantages. Accordingly, the effects of main regulating bank insertion in SMART core have been evaluated. For developed model verification, some of the neutronic parameters have been compared with the SMART Standard Safety Analysis (SSAR) and show proper match. Then other neutronic parameters of the SMART core as a pioneer SMR have been calculated and evaluated. © 2019 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.