Validation of neutron current formulations for the response matrix method based on the SP3 theory

The pin-by-pin fine mesh BWR core analysis code SUBARU has been developed as a next-generation BWR core analysis code. SUBARU is based on the SP3 theory and the response matrix method is used for flux calculations. The SP3 theory consists of the 0th and 2nd order neutron fluxes. Therefore, the relations among the 0th and 2nd order partial neutron currents and the fluxes are required to apply the response matrix method. SUBARU is approximated the relations among the partial neutron currents and the fluxes are similar to that the diffusion theory. Our previous study revealed that the prediction accuracy of SUBARU is much higher than that of conventional core analysis codes. However, validity of the above approximation is not directly investigated so far. Therefore, relations among the partial neutron currents and the fluxes are theoretically derived and calculation results with the rigorous and the conventional formulations are compared. The calculation results indicate that the approximation of the conventional formulation is appropriate for the BWR core analysis.