Three-Dimensional Neutron Flux Calculations for the VVER Pressure Vessel

Abstract

The neutron flux values at the sites important for the pressure vessels of the VVER-1000 and VVER-440 reactors have been calculated by the three-dimensional TORT code and the synthesis method approximation. The synthesis method is widely used now for neutron fluence routine calculations in metal embrittlement surveillance. The three-dimensional neutron flux evaluation by the synthesis method is based on the two-dimensional and one-dimensional solutions of the transport equation. The comparison of the results obtained by both methods confirms the good consistency within 3% for integral neutron flux with energy >0.5 MeV, used for metal damage estimation, according to Russian reactor standards. Further investigations on the calculation validity will be based on comparisons with measurements of the threshold detector activities, monitored in the air shell behind the reactor pressure vessels of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant.