Integrating BISON into VERA-CS and Fuel Temperature Calculations

Abstract

Approaches to integrating BISON into VERA-CS were identified as: 1) Coupled TIAMAT calculations in which BISON is solved simultaneously with MPACT and CTF via direct coupling, 2) Inline TIAMAT in which BISON calculations are performed as part of the same VERA-CS calculation sequence as coupled MPACT-CTF calculations but there is no feedback from the BISON calculations into the MPACT-CTF calculations, and 3) Stand-alone (“Offline”) BISON calculations in which desired data is parsed from the results of an already-completed MPACT-CTF VERA-CS analysis and BISON calculations are performed afterwards. The current maximum capabilities of these approaches in the latest VERA build are a single ramp-to-power for Coupled TIAMAT, analysis of two subsequent operating cycles for a single pin in Inline TIAMAT, and BISON analysis for every fuel pin in a PWR quarter-core for multiple operating cycles in Stand-alone BISON.