Estimation of control rods worth for WWR-S research reactor using WIMS-D4 and CITATION codes

• Published in: Arab Journal of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 90 - 100
• Main Authors: al-Najdi, Muhammad al-Sayyid, al-Koliel, M. S., Zahir, D. H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt The Egyptian Society of Nuclear Science and Applications 01.04.2017
• ISSN: 1110-0451

An accurate estimation of the integral and differential worth of the control rods utilized in WWR-S research reactor is the main objective of the present study. The control rods were installed in nuclear reactors to provide precise and adjustable control of reactivity. WWR-S research reactor is controlled by nine control rods serving as shim, regulation and safety rods. Calculation of the reactivity worth of control rods in a reactor core constitutes an important factor of nuclear reactor design. In this study, the reactivity worth of the control rods is theoretically assessed using the neutronic codes; WIMS-D4 and CITATION for lattice cell and core simulation, in addition to the detailed Monte-Carlo simulation code MCNPX. The obtained results from WIMS-D4 and CITATION codes are compared with the corresponding measurements. A comparison with MCNPX evaluation of control rod worth for more validation is also presented.