Reactor physics calculations and their experimental validation for conversion and upgrading of a typical swimming pool type research reactor

Abstract Detailed neutronic analysis of a typical swimming pool type research reactor, Pakistan Research Reactor-1 (PARR-1), was carried out for conversion of its core from 93% highly enriched uranium to 20% low enriched uranium fuel with power upgrading from 5 to 10 MW. Standard computer codes WIMS-D/4 and CITATION were employed to calculate core excess reactivity, power defect, reactivity effect of xenon and samarium, reactivity worth of fuel element, worth of control rods, shutdown margin, reactivity feedback coefficients, neutron flux and power peaking factors. A series of low and high power tests were performed on the newly converted core to determine its performance. A comparison between the calculated and measured results is presented in this article. The agreement is generally good.