ANTARES: COUPLING PARCS WITH CATHARE-3

In recent years, the IRSN has launched a new project to couple the first 3D version of the thermal hydraulic code CATHARE-3 (system) with the 3D, neutronic nodal code PARCS (core): ANTARES (Advanced Neutronics and Thermal-hydraulic for the Analysis of the Reactor Safety). The purpose of this project is to increase the IRSN capability to couple different codes, to calculate the core power distribution in CATHARE-3 and to improve the thermal hydraulic boundaries conditions in PARCS. In this way, the IRSN diversifies its available tools to perform safety analysis with improved accuracy. The current technique usually adopted in France for the safety demonstrations is the so-called ‘conservative' approach, which consists of reducing all the feedback (Doppler and moderator effects) and in modifying some physical quantities in such a way to increase a power peak in an accidental transient. For this reason, these facilities (‘penalties’) have been implemented in ANTARES. In this paper we will give two examples of accidental transients that can be simulated with ANTARES: a REA (Rod Ejection Accident) and an inadvertent boron dilution event.