A code development for LLFP transmutation analysis based on the whole pin-wise calculation in PWRs

Most of these conventional transmutation analyses were performed either on a single assembly scope or by macro-depletion calculations. This might not indicate the real transmutation capacities of these reactor systems. A numerical code system designed for in-core transmutation analysis, evaluation and optimization is integrant and indispensable. An in-core transmutation analysis code system, named CATE, considering pin-wise flux calculation and fine depletion processes is developed. The code is designed to implement in-core transmutation calculation for PWRs by combining an in-core fuel management code with the micro depletion calculation code ORIGEN2. The in-core transmutation constants, such as transmutation rate and nuclides inventories can be computed and evaluated by the code. The verifications and validations of the code are presented in the paper by calculating some benchmarks and a preliminary LLFP transmutation loading pattern. Numerical results indicate that CATE can be used for the transmutation evaluation for PWRs.

► A new computational code system for in-core transmutation calculation in PWRs is developed.
► Detailed depletion calculation is embedded for the in-core transmutation analysis.
► The numerical tests demonstrate that the code is accurate and capable of handling the in-core transmutation calculation.