Verification of the SIMULATE-3 Pin Power Distribution Calculation

The advanced nodal code SIMULA TE-3 includes the capability to generate detailed pin-by-pin power distributions. Yankee Atomic Electric Company has performed an extensive series of benchmark calculations verifying the accuracy of this capability. Fuel depletion and fuel depletion after shuffling applications were examined. Comparisons were made among SIMULATE-3, higher order transport theory calculations, and calculations performed using fine-mesh finite difference diffusion theory. Detailed pin power data from multiassembly (colorsets) and quarter-core geometries were compared. The results demonstrate the accuracy of SIMULA TE-3 relative to currently accepted methods of generating pin power data.