Development of Spatially Dependent Resonance Shielding Method

A new spatially dependent resonance self-shielding method (SDDM: Spatially Dependent Dancoff Method) was developed based on the generalization of the conventional Dancoff method to multi-regions in a fuel pellet based on the Stoker/Weiss technique. SDDM correctly accounts for radial power distribution within fuel rods in a fuel assembly. SDDM is fully consistent with the conventional method if the pellet is not sub-divided. It also has the advantage of being less computing time consuming when compared to more rigorous resonance shielding method such as sub-group and special fine energy mesh methods. Moreover, it can be installed easily into the lattice physics code widely used in commercial LWR design. To validate the method, spatial concentration of isotopes and burnup distribution within a rod are evaluated using SDDM and the results are compared to the destructive measurement data. From the comparison, it is concluded that the spatially dependent Dancoff method, SDDM, is appropriate for generating the effective cross-sections in the fuel rings.