Neutron noise simulation by GFEM and unstructured triangle elements

In the present study, the neutron noise, i.e. the stationary fluctuation of the neutron flux around its mean value, is calculated in 2-group forward and adjoint diffusion theory for both hexagonal and rectangular reactor cores. To this end, the static neutron calculation is performed at the first stage. The spatial discretization of equations is based on linear approximation of Galerkin Finite Element Method (GFEM) using unstructured triangle elements. Using power iteration method, forward and adjoint fluxes with the corresponding eigenvalues are obtained. The results are then benchmarked against the valid results for BIBLIS-2D and IAEA-2D benchmark problems and DONJON computer code. The dynamic calculations are performed in the frequency domain which leads to reducing the dimension of the variable space of the noise equations. The forward/adjoint noise in two energy group is obtained by assuming the neutron noise source as an absorber of variable strength type. The neutron noise induced by a vibrating absorber type of noise source is also obtained from the calculated adjoint Green's function. Comparison of the calculated neutron noise at zero frequency with the results of static calculation, and utilizing the results of adjoint noise calculations are two different procedures to validate the neutron noise calculations.

► We develop a 2-D, 2-group neutron noise simulator based on GFEM.
► The spatial discretization is performed using unstructured triangle elements.
► The effects of fluctuations in diffusion coefficient on results are investigated.
► The developed code can be applied for both rectangular and hexagonal reactor cores.
► We find that the developed code is reliable tool for neutron noise calculation.