Appendix C
Software tools development
C.1 Introduction
Unfortunately, when it is using coupled codes, not all the procedures are fully automatic, and often problems rises because the different format of the input and output data that each code use.
Thus, during this thesis activity it was necessary to modify and develop a wide number of software programs for different function. A list of these programs and a brief description of their functionalities is reported below; each of these was written in FORTRAN 77 and 90.
C.2 Cross section library formatting and interpolating
Name Functionalities
cigenth.vver.exe This program automatically build up the hundreds of files necessary for an HELIOS running reading the physical conditions for the fuel burning from previous input files preparatory by the operator
xstabD.vver.exe This program process the HELIOS output, writing down the results in NEM code readable format; it was modified to allow the writing of a library with 42 reference points of resolution and with delayed neutron fraction specified for every fuel composition
parconv_8.0.exe This program and some sister versions interpolate the HELIOS cross section libraries to obtain a set of cross section values referred to the fuel temperature, moderator density and boron concentration specified by the operator. It can utilize cross section libraries with 20 as well as 42 reference points and cross section libraries with delayed neutron fraction specified for every fuel composition
core_check.exe Calculate a core wide averaged delayed neutron fractions from the HELIOS generated cross section library with delayed neutron fraction specified for every fuel compositions
C.3 Mapping program
Name Functionalities
merlino.exe Automatically prepares the MAPTAB file for the PARCS/RELAP5 coupling. It utilizes an input file build by the operator where are mapped the upper and the lower reflector and the core.
wolf.exe Calculates automatically the water - steam properties using a subroutine build by Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL)
C.4 Data processing programs
Name Functionalities
daisy_4.0.exe It extract the power produced in an assembly (specified by the operator) from the PARCS output file and calculate the energy produced as function of time by integrating the power
dnbr.exe It calculate the DNBR for every layer of the assembly selected by the operator thanks to the RELAP5 strip files
Tecp_power_tr.exe Tecp_power_ss.exe Tecp_fuel_cl_temp.exe Tecp_moder_temp.exe
These programs processes the PARCS output files for steady state and transient allowing to obtain the normalized power, the fuel center-line temperatures and the moderator distribution temperature
mike.exe Calculates from a PARCS output file the main core parameters necessary for an analytical calculation of the energy released during a REA (see Appendix D)
