Current developments of the pwr core analysis code RAST-K2.0

Abstract

This paper represents the recent updating of core analysis code RAST-K2.0 for the purpose of PWR design. The updating includes three parts: 1) a new nodal kernel was introduced using the unified nodal method (UNM), 2) a new depletion module was introduced using the microdepletion method, 3) a new transient kernel based on the frequency transform and θ method was added. The verification of RAST-K2.0 is presented in this paper. In current stage, only the benchmarking tests have been performed. The IAEA3D and LRA problems were calculated to test the nodal kernel, the LMW and NEACRP problems were used to verify the transient module and a PWR assembly depletion problem was calculated to test the micro-depletion method. The results prove the correctness of code updating. The new version of RAST-K 2.0 performs with good accuracy and high efficiency compared with other widely used nodal codes.