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Title: Implementation of an approximate zero-variance scheme in the TRIPOLI Monte Carlo code

Conference ·
OSTI ID:22039486
;  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Delft Univ. of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft (Netherlands)
  2. Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique CEA, Gif-sur-Yvette (France)

In an accompanying paper it is shown that theoretically a zero-variance Monte Carlo scheme can be devised for criticality calculations if the space, energy and direction dependent adjoint function is exactly known. This requires biasing of the transition and collision kernels with the appropriate adjoint function. In this paper it is discussed how an existing general purpose Monte Carlo code like TRIPOLI can be modified to approach the zero-variance scheme. This requires modifications for reading in the adjoint function obtained from a separate deterministic calculation for a number of space intervals, energy groups and discrete directions. Furthermore, a function has to be added to supply the direction dependent and the averaged adjoint function at a specific position in the system by interpolation. The initial particle weights of a certain batch must be set inversely proportional to the averaged adjoint function and proper normalization of the initial weights must be secured. The sampling of the biased transition kernel requires cumulative integrals of the biased kernel along the flight path until a certain value, depending on a selected random number is reached to determine a new collision site. The weight of the particle must be adapted accordingly. The sampling of the biased collision kernel (in a multigroup treatment) is much more like the normal sampling procedure. A numerical example is given for a 3-group calculation with a simplified transport model (two-direction model), demonstrating that the zero-variance scheme can be approximated quite well for this simplified case. (authors)

Research Organization:
American Nuclear Society, 555 North Kensington Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526 (United States)
OSTI ID:
22039486
Resource Relation:
Conference: PHYSOR-2006: American Nuclear Society's Topical Meeting on Reactor Physics - Advances in Nuclear Analysis and Simulation, Vancouver, BC (Canada), 10-14 Sep 2006; Other Information: Country of input: France; 4 refs.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English