A new model with Serpent for the first criticality benchmarks of the TRIGA Mark II reactor

TL;DR

This paper introduces a detailed 3D Serpent Monte Carlo model of the TRIGA Mark II reactor, validated against criticality benchmarks and control rod calibrations, and compares its performance with MCNP simulations.

Contribution

The paper presents the first detailed Serpent model of the TRIGA Mark II reactor, validated with experimental benchmarks and compared to MCNP results.

Findings

Serpent model accurately reproduces criticality benchmarks.

Model effectively simulates reactivity differences at various power levels.

Comparison shows good agreement between Serpent and MCNP simulations.

Abstract

We present a new model, developed with the Serpent Monte Carlo code, for neutronics simulation of the TRIGA Mark II reactor of Pavia (Italy). The complete 3D geometry of the reactor core is implemented with high accuracy and detail, exploiting all the available information about geometry and materials. The Serpent model of the reactor is validated in the fresh fuel configuration, through a benchmark analysis of the first criticality experiments and control rods calibrations. The accuracy of simulations in reproducing the reactivity difference between the low power (10 W) and full power (250 kW) reactor condition is also tested. Finally, a direct comparison between Serpent and MCNP simulations of the same reactor configurations is presented.