Space-Dependent Core/Reflector Boundary Conditions Generated by the Boundary Element Method for Pressurized Water Reactors

This paper reports on the boundary element method used to generate energy-dependent matrix-type boundary conditions along core/reflector interfaces and along baffle-plate surfaces of pressurized water reactors. This method enables one to deal with all types of boundary geometries including convex and concave corners. The method is applicable to neutron diffusion problems with more than two energy groups and also can be used to model a reflector with or without a baffle plate. Excellent eigenvalue and flux shape results can be obtained when the boundary conditions generated by this technique are coupled with core-only finite difference calculations.