Impact of cross section libraries on CASMO-4E and CASMO-4 results

A detailed comparison between the code CASMO-4 and its extended version CASMO-4E has been made. In addition to the standard library, CASMO-4E calculations have been performed also with its extended libraries. The differences are significant enough to be considered when choosing the library to be used for a particular problem. The differences in the multiplication factor k∞ range up to several hundred pcm depending on the void history, burnup and other parameters. The differences in fuel temperature or void coefficients are smaller especially at small void fraction and low burnup. At large void and low burnup CASMO-4E with the standard library gives significantly different results than the other combinations. The microscopic cross sections show small differences when calculated with the same library but clear differences due to the extended libraries.

► Comparison between CASMO-4 and CASMO-4E with standard and extended libraries.
► Studied multiplication factor, reactivity coefficients and microscopic cross sections.
► Differences in multiplication factor range up to several hundred pcm.
► Large differences in void coefficients at low burnup and high void.
► Differences in microscopic cross sections range up to slightly over 2%.