• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.1157-1164
• /
• 2017

The Monte Carlo criticality simulation of decoupled systems, as for instance in large reactor cores, has been a challenging issue for a long time. In particular, due to limited computer time resources, the number of neutrons simulated per generation is still many order of magnitudes below realistic statistics, even during the start-up phases of reactors. This limited number of neutrons triggers a strong clustering effect of the neutron population that affects Monte Carlo tallies. Below a certain threshold, not only is the variance affected but also the estimation of the eigenvectors. In this paper we will build a time-dependent diffusion equation that takes into account both spatial correlations and population control (fixed number of neutrons along generations). We will show that its solution obeys a traveling wave dynamic, and we will discuss the mechanism that explains this biasing of local tallies whenever leakage boundary conditions are applied to the system.

• Journal of Magnetics
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2015

In this work, Monte Carlo simulation was employed to model the stretchable Ising monolayer film to investigate the effect of the spatial distance variation among magnetic atoms on magnetic behavior of the film. The exchange interaction was considered as functions of initial interatomic distance and the stretched distance (or the strain). Following Bethe-Slater picture, the magnetic exchange interaction took the Lennard-Jones potential-like function. Monte Carlo simulations via the Wolff and Metropolis algorithms were used to update the spin systems, where equilibrium and dynamic magnetic profiles were collected. From the results, the strain was found to have strong influences on magnetic behavior, especially the critical behavior. Specifically, the phase transition point was found to either increase or decrease depending on how the exchange interaction shifts (i.e. towards or away from the maximum value). In addition, empirical functions which predict how the critical temperatures scale with initial interatomic distance and the strain were proposed, which provides qualitatively view how to fine tune the magnetic critical point in monolayer film using the substrate modification induced strain.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.9
• /
• pp.2830-2838
• /
• 2021

This work deals with the assessment of the burnup capabilities of the Serpent Monte Carlo code to predict spent nuclear fuel (SNF) isotopic concentrations for low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel at different burnup levels up to 47 MWd/kgU. The irradiation of six UO₂ experimental samples in three different VVER-1000 reactor units has been simulated and the predicted concentrations of actinides up to ²⁴⁴Cm have been compared with the corresponding measured values. The results show a global good agreement between calculated and experimental concentrations, in several cases within the margins of the nuclear data uncertainties and in a few cases even within the reported experimental uncertainties. The differences in the performances of the JEFF3.1.1, ENDF/B-VII.1 and ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data libraries (NDLs) have also been assessed and the use of the newly released ENDF/B-VIII.0 library has shown an increased accuracy in the prediction of the C/E's for some of the actinides considered, particularly for the plutonium isotopes. This work represents a step forward towards the validation of advanced simulation tools against post irradiation experimental data and the obtained results provide an evidence of the capabilities of the Serpent Monte-Carlo code with the associated modern NDLs to accurately compute SNF nuclide inventory concentrations for VVER-1000 type reactors.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.115-125
• /
• 2021

Simulation-based hull form optimization is a typical HEB (high-dimensional, expensive computationally, black-box) problem. Conventional optimization algorithms easily fall into the "curse of dimensionality" when dealing with HEB problems. A recently proposed Cross-Entropy (CE) optimization algorithm is an advanced stochastic optimization algorithm based on a probability model, which has the potential to deal with high-dimensional optimization problems. Currently, the CE algorithm is still in the theoretical research stage and rarely applied to actual engineering optimization. One reason is that the Monte Carlo (MC) method is used to estimate the high-dimensional integrals in parameter update, leading to a large sample size. This paper proposes an improved CE algorithm based on quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) estimation using high-dimensional truncated Sobol subsequence, referred to as the QMC-CE algorithm. The optimization performance of the proposed algorithm is better than that of the original CE algorithm. With a set of identical control parameters, the tests on six standard test functions and a hull form optimization problem show that the proposed algorithm not only has faster convergence but can also apply to complex simulation optimization problems.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.7
• /
• pp.2474-2482
• /
• 2023

The development of fast reactors with complex designs and operation status requires more accurate and effective simulation. The Monte-Carlo method can generate multi-group cross-sections in arbitrary geometry without approximation on resonances treatment and leads to good results in combination with diffusion codes. However, in previous studies, the coupling of Monte-Carlo generated multi-group cross-sections (MC-MGXS) and transport solvers has shown relatively large biases in fast reactor problems. In this paper, the main contribution to the biases is proved to be the neglect of the angle-dependence of the total cross-sections. The flux-moment homogenization technique (MHT) is proposed to take into account this dependence. In this method, the angular dependence is attributed to the transfer cross-sections, keeping an independent form for the total sections. For the MET-1000 benchmark, the multi-group transport simulation results with MC-MGXS generated with MHT are improved by 700 pcm and an additional 120 pcm with higher order scattering. The factors that cause the residual bias are discussed. The core power distribution bias is also significantly reduced when MHT is used. It proves that the MCMGXS with MHT can be applicable with transport solvers in fast reactor analysis.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.11
• /
• pp.4167-4172
• /
• 2023

Miniaturized tissue equivalent proportional counters (mini-TEPCs) are proper for radiation dosimetry in medical application because the small size of the dosimeter could prevent pile-up effect under the high intensity of therapeutic beam. However, traditional methods of calibrating mini-TEPCs using internal alpha sources are not feasible due to their small size. In this study, we investigated the use of electron and proton edges on Monte Carlo-generated lineal energy spectra as markers for calibrating a 0.9 mm diameter and length mini-TEPC. Three possible markers for each spectrum were calculated and compared using different simulation tools. Our simulations showed that the electron edge markers were more consistent across different simulation tools than the proton edge markers, which showed greater variation due to differences in the microdosimetric spectra. In most cases, the second marker, y_δδ, had the smallest uncertainty. Our findings suggest that the lineal energy spectra from mini-TEPCs can be calibrated using Monte Carlo simulations that closely resemble real-world detector and source geometries.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.289-295
• /
• 2018

Most diagnostic devices in the medical field use X-ray sources, which emit energy spectra. In radiological diagnosis, the quantitative and qualitative analyses of X-rays are essential for maintaining the image quality and minimizing the radiation dose to patients. This work aims to obtain the X-ray energy spectra used in diagnostic imaging by Monte Carlo simulation. Various X-ray spectra are simulated using a Monte Carlo simulation tool. These spectra are then compared to the reference data obtained with a tungsten anode spectral model using the interpolating polynomial (TASMIP) code. The X-ray tube voltages used are 50, 60, 80, 100, and 110 kV, respectively. CdTe and a-Se detector are used as the detectors for obtaining the X-ray spectra. Simulation results demonstrate that the various X-ray spectra are well matched with the reference data. Based on the simulation results, an appropriate X-ray spectrum, in accordance with the tube voltage, can be selected when generating an image for diagnostic imaging. The dose to be delivered to the patient can be predicted prior to examination in the diagnostic field.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Pineapple is now the third most important tropical fruit in world production after banana and citrus. Phytosanitary irradiation is recognized as a promising alternative treatment to chemical fumigation. However, most of the phytosanitary irradiation studies have dealt with physiochemical properties and its efficacy. Accurate dose calculation is crucial for ensuring proper process control in phytosanitary irradiation. The objective of this study was to optimize phytosanitary irradiation treatment of pineapple in various radiation sources using Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: 3-D geometry and component densities of the pineapple, extracted from CT scan data, were entered into a radiation transport Monte Carlo code (MCNP5) to obtain simulated dose distribution. Radiation energy used for simulation were 2 MeV (low-energy) and 10 MeV (high-energy) for electron beams, 1.25 MeV for gamma-rays, and 5 MeV for X-rays. Results: For low-energy electron beam simulation, electrons penetrated up to 0.75 cm from the pineapple skin, which is good for controlling insect eggs laid just below the fruit surface. For high-energy electron beam simulation, electrons penetrated up to 4.5 cm and the irradiation area occupied 60.2% of the whole area at single-side irradiation and 90.6% at double-side irradiation. For a single-side only gamma- and X-ray source simulation, the entire pineapple was irradiated and dose uniformity ratios (Dmax/Dmin) were 2.23 and 2.19, respectively. Even though both sources had all greater penetrating capability, the X-ray treatment is safer and the gamma-ray treatment is more widely used due to their availability. Conclusions: These results are invaluable for optimizing phytosanitary irradiation treatment planning of pineapple.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.157-165
• /
• 2017

In this paper, we calculate the light photons collection efficiency of large-volume plastic scintillation detector mainly used for radiation portal monitor (RPM). A Monte Carlo light photon transport code, DETECT2000, were used to quantitatively evaluate light collection efficiency of plastic scintillation detector. DETECT2000 calculated the placement of light collection efficiency based on the energy spectrum. We calculated the light collection efficiency relative to the position of the energy spectrum that proportional to the placement of the source. The $850{\times}285{\times}65mm^3$ size of polyvinyl toluene (PVT) scintillator was used for measurements. Through DETECT2000 simulation, the light collection efficiency of $5{\times}5$ arrays were calculated and verification was performed by comparing with experimentally measured. And then, the corrected MCNP simulation by applying the light collection efficiency in $21{\times}13$ arrays was compared and analyzed. Comparing the Monte Carlo simulation with measured results, it shows an average difference of 10.1% in $5{\times}5$ arrays. Particularly, about twice of the difference was found in the edge of first column, which coupled with PMT. In whole $5{\times}5$ array, the overall ratio was the same except for the first column. And then comparing the energy spectra of the $21{\times}13$ array with and without the light collection efficiency, it shows a difference of 6.69% in Compton edge area. The DETECT2000 based light collection efficiency simulation showed well agreement with the point source experiment. And comparing with measured energy spectra, we could compare the differences according to whether or not the light collection efficiency was applied. As a results, it is possible to increase the accuracy and reliability of Monte Carlo simulation results by pre-calculating the light collection efficiency according to the PVT geometry by using the DETECT2000.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2019

In this paper, we deal with two pricing of bond options using the relationship between the forward rate model and the Libor rate model. First, we derive a formula for obtaining discounted bond prices using the restrictive condition of the Ritchken and Sankarasubramanian (RS), and then use the volatility function relationship of the forward rate and the Libor rate models to find the analytic solution (AS) of bond options pricing. Second, the price of the bond options is calculated by simulating several scenarios from the presented condition using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). Comparing the results of the implementation of the above two pricing methods, the relative error (RE) is obtained, which means the ratio of AS and MCS. From the results, we can confirm that the RE is around 3.9%, which means that the price of the bond options can be predicted very accurately using the MCS as well as AS.