VVER-1000 neutronics calculation with ENDF/B-VII data

The initial release of the ENDF/B-VII nuclear data library is verified for VVER-1000 reactors. For neutronics calculation, the MCNP code based on the Monte-Carlo method is applied. Continuous-energy cross-sections for use with MCNP are calculated with the NJOY code. Isotopics for burned fuel is calculated with the WIMSD code. Calculated criticality, pin-to-pin power distribution, time-dependent critical concentration of soluble boron, worth of the control rods, average fuel assembly powers and time-dependent axial power distribution are compared to the corresponding experimental values for both zero-power VVER-1000 model, created at the LR-0 experimental facility, and the first fuel cycle of a real VVER-1000 reactor. For all of these parameters, neutronics calculation with ENDF/B-VII is in good agreement with the measurement. Moreover, for VVER-1000 neutronics calculation, ENDF/B-VII provides better results than ENDF/B-VI.