Weapons-grade MOX PWR benchmark calculations

A simplified model of a Westinghouse pressurized water reactor (PWR) assembly has been proposed as a weapons-grade mixed-oxide (MOX) benchmark. The bundle design consists of a uniform plutonium loading that would be appropriate for a full MOX core. The benchmark consists of several state point calculations at zero burnup, a multicycle depletion to 45 MWd/kg, and several state point calculations at end of life. Calculations of the PWR MOX benchmark have been performed with the KENO Monte Carlo code and the VENTURE diffusion theory code using cross sections created using the SCALE system and with the HELIOS system. The benchmark has been proposed as a light water reactor MOX benchmark with initial results being submitted by the participants by September 1998. The complete specifications for the benchmark are available at http://www.engr.utk.edu/org/ans/benchmark/ansmoxbm.html.