Monte Carlo simulation of the neutron characteristics of VVER-1000 core using the MCU-PD program and comparison of the results with calculations by the BIPR-7A program and experimental data

The Monte Carlo method has been used to simulate the neutron transport in nuclear reactors for over fifty years. Fast progress in computer power and development of more and more robust and reliable algorithms, codes, and nuclear databases allow solving more challenging problems, including three-dimensional (3D) simulations of full-scale reactor cores. Short descriptions of a full-scale 3D model of the VVER-1000 core and algorithms and methods implemented in the MCU-PD and BIPR-7A codes and a comparison of the calculations by each program as well as a comparison with experimental data are given in this paper.