ETD

• ANDREA nodal diffusion code
• conservative deterministic analysis
• cross-section library validation
• depletion and burnup calculations
• HFP and HZP core states
• kinetic parameters and β_eff
• licensing support
• Neutronic safety assessment
• reactivity coefficients
• reflector modeling
• rod insertion limits verification
• shutdown margin evaluation
• three-dimensional power distribution
• VVER-1000/V-320
• xenon and samarium effects

This Master’s thesis develops a neutronic safety assessment for a VVER-1000/V-320 reactor over a full fuel cycle, verifying power distribution, reactivity feedbacks, shutdown capability and key kinetic parameters under penalizing conditions. A full-core 3-D model is built in the ANDREA nodal diffusion code on a 163-assembly hexagonal lattice, avoiding symmetry reductions to retain effects of non-uniform burnup, control-rod patterns and xenon redistribution. Radial/axial reflectors and an axial mesh tailored to safety-relevant peaks are explicitly represented, and depletion calculations track isotopic evolution and its impact on flux and power. The verification approach uses a matrix of core states and limiting scenarios spanning HFP and HZP, rod configurations (ARO, RIL, ARI, ARI-1) and xenon conditions from equilibrium to near-zero, evaluated at BOC, MOC, EOC and extended EOC. The study monitors radial/axial peaking, fuel–coolant interaction indicators, and kinetics—especially β_eff versus burnup—providing a consistent characterization of core behaviour and a basis for subsequent safety analyses.