The teams at the Reactor Physics & Fuel Cycle Section (SPRC) and the Reactors & Applied Mathematics Section (SERMA) at the CEA Institute for Applied Science & Simulation for Low-Carbon Energy (ISAS) have developed a new neutron modelling programme for the Flamanville EPR reactor as requested by the tripartite collaboration with EDF and Framatome.
This modelling relies on the latest-generation multi-technology deterministic calculation tool called APOLLO3®, as well as on the research carried to check and validate it. It implements the tool’s latest functionalities in terms of the neutron flux self-shielding and flux solver calculations for both the lattice part (modelling a fuel assembly) and the core part (modelling the entire core).
Thanks to these new functionalities, it has been possible to accurately describe certain specific characteristics of the EPR and therefore eliminate the need the previous modelling approximations. This new modelling will make it possible to analyse the reactor start-up physics tests, in addition to industrial modelling used by EDF et FRAMATOME.