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Interface Design Of VSOP94 Computer Code For Safety Analysis

Khairina Natsir1)*, Putranto Ilham Yazid2), D. Andiwijayakusuma1), Nursinta Adi Wahanani1)


Center for Development of Nuclear Informatics - National Nuclear Energy Agency PUSPIPTEK, Serpong, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia 2) Center for Nuclear Technology, Material and Radiometry- National Nuclear Energy Agency Jl. Tamansari No.71, Bandung 40132, Indonesia * Email: yenny@batan.go.id Abstract. Today, most software applications, also in the nuclear field, come with a graphical user interface. Recently, VSOP94 (Very Superior Old Program) was designed to simplify the process of performing reactor simulation.VSOP94 (Very Superior Old Program) is a integrated code system to simulate the life history of a nuclear reactor that is devoted in education and research. One advantage of VSOP program is its ability to calculate the neutron spectrum estimation, fuel cycle, 2-D diffusion, resonance integral, estimation of reactors fuel costs, and integrated thermal hydraulics. VSOP can also be used to comparative studies and simulation of reactor safety. However, existing VSOP is a conventional program, which was developed using Fortran 65 and have several problems in using it, for example, is only operated on Dec Alpha mainframe platforms and provide text-based output, difficult to use, especially in data preparation and interpretation of results. We develop a GUI-based designs modification to be recompiled which is more user friendly and useable on the Personal `Computer (PC). Modifications include the development of interfaces on preprocessing, processing and postprocessing. GUI-based interface for preprocessing aims to provide convenience to the user in inputing data. Processing interface is intended to provide convenience in compiling VSOP program that consists of many modules and the selection of library input data files. Postprocessing interface designed to speed up the process of interpretation and analysis of safety aspects. Keywords: VSOP94, interface design, safety analysis, VSOP Utility
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INTRODUCTION
An important indicator in the control of nuclear science and technology is the ability to perform calculations or analysis of nuclear systems, particularly in the analysis of the safety aspect. To be used practically, calculation or analysis should be poured in computing software with a reliable method. Today, most software applications come with a graphical user interface (GUI). GUI provides the user with a valuable means to learn, understand, and use the application software. Ability to perform analysis and design of the safety of nuclear reactors currently can be done using software that is commonly used. However, in fact, such as a VSOP code, the analysis conducted is still hampered by the hassles of reading the data input and output, and the iteration is still conventional. It is certainly less effective in its implementation. It required user friendly software which can help

users in the preparation, selection and processing of data so that further analysis can be done quickly and accurately. The availability of a more user-friendly interface on preprocessing, processing and post processing of VSOP program package is needed to support the ease way of running the program and the availability of supporting the researchers to conduct the proper and useful analysis, so that research in the field of nuclear reactor, particularly in safety aspects can be done with more quickly, accurately and easily. The purpose of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) is to provide a helpful, visual interface between a user and a computer program along with the data that it accesses and produces.

THEORETICAL
a. VSOP94 (V.S.O.P) V.S.O.P. is a computer code system for the comprehensive numerical simulation of the physics of thermal reactors . The code has widely been used for research in the course of the development of the High Temperature Reactor with spherical fuel elements . Thus, many tools have been included to cover very specific features of this reactor type. The application of the code implies processing of cross sections, the set-up of the reactor and of the fuel element, neutron spectrum evaluation, neutron diffusion calculation, fuel burnup, fuel shuffling, reactor control, and thermal hydraulics of steady states and transients . The neutronic calculations can be performed in up to three dimensions. Thermal hydraulics is restricted to HTRs in two spatial dimensions. The V.S.O.P. code enables the user to follow the reactor life from the initial core towards the equilibrium core. Repeated calculation of the different physics features ensures consistency in their feedback during the proceeding burnup, the simulation of the fuel shuffling, and variations of the core power rating . Temperature transients can be followed doing a quasistatic nuclear evaluation in parallel . A detailed power history of the fuel elements is used for the calculation of their individual decay power. Evaluation of fuel cycle costs over the reactor life time is made using the present worth method. Reprocessing and closure of the fuel cycle can be simulated under consistent control of the mass flow of the fuel, including the isotopic decay during periods of intermediate storage . The burnup section of the code also allows the assessment of the impact of the most important "minor actinides" on the physics of the reactors and on the characteristics of spent fuel . VSOP Physics Simulation and VSOP basic Programs are showed in Fig.1 and Fig.2

Fig.1. VSOP Physics Simulation

Fig.2. The VSOP Basic Programs

b.Interface Design Graphical User Interface (GUI) is a form of dialogue or interactions between humans and computers in the form of graphic. The goal is to operate the computer easier, more comfortable and more userfriendly. A good user interface design encourages an easy, natural, and engaging interaction between a user and a system, and it allows users to carry out their required tasks. Interface software design must meet several requirements, among others: Task compatibility. An application interface should be able to assist users in completing the task. All work and user tasks should be adopted in the application through the interface. Consistency. System interfaces should match the real system and in accordance with the product. For example, the application of color, structure menu, font and others should be uniform. Simplicity. Simplicity of the interface design should be considered when designing or building system interfaces. Emphasis on the simplicity of the quick and uncomplicated. User prefers things simple but has the power. Familiarity. Human nature is easy to remember the things that are often seen. The interface is designed as much as possible in accordance with the interface in general, in terms of layout, models and so on. Usability. Usability is concerned with the extent to which users of an application are able to work effectively, efficiently, and with satisfaction in their particular contexts

RESULT AND DISCUSSION


Interface design of the VSOP program includes three phases of activities, namely preprocessing, processing, and post processing. GUI-based interface for preprocessing is a tool with a graphical interfaces aims to provide convenience to the user in inputing data. In this step the user is provided the menus and input card format that has been adjusted in order to avoid difficulties and errors in input data. Processing interface is intended to provide convenience in compiling VSOP program that consists of many modules of the program and the selection of data library as input. Postprocessing interface designed to speed up the process of interpretation and analysis of safety aspects with user friendly displays and graphics. The parameters to be analyzed are filtered out from VSOP result according to the certain characteristics. The designs are as follows :

Fig 3. Preprocessing Design

Fig 4. Processing Design

Fig 5. Post processing Design

Display of GUI interface on the stage of the preprocessing named VSOP Utility, is shown in the image below:

Fig 5. VSOP Utility

In order to operate this program VSOP more easily, the third stages of the preprocessing, processing and post processing combined into a single interface. The design of the user interface of the three phases, are shown in the figure below:

Fig 6. Main Design

CONCLUSION
The design of a GUI based interfaces for preprocessing, processing and postprocessing of VSOP'94 has been developed. The primary objective in the initial development and ongoing enhancements to VSOP94 is to provide an easyto-use calculation tool for performing accurate safety analyses of nuclear reactor simulations. The current development activities described in this paper are part of the continuing effort to meet that objective.

REFERENCES
1. 2. E. Teuchert, U.Hansen, K.A. Haas,1990, VSOP-Computer Code System for Reactor Physics and Fuel Cycle Simulation, Kernforschungsanlage Jlich, Jl-1649, H.J. Rtten, K.A. Haas, H. Brockmann, U. Ohlig, C. Pohl, W. Scherer, 2010, V.S.O.P. (99/09) Computer Code System for Reactor Physics and Fuel Cycle Simulation; Version 99 , Forschungszentrum Jlich, Jl-4326, Rtten,H,J, V. S. O. P. (94) Computer Code System for Reactor Physics and Fuel Cycle Simulation; Berichte des Forschungszentrums Jlich Proek. Andrej, 2011, Implementation Of A Graphical User Interface For Safety Analysis Of The ROSA/LSTF Hot-Leg Break Experiment; Elektrotehniki Vestnik 78(3): 147-152 Stone, C.Jarrett, M. Woodroffe, S.Minocha; 2005, Evaluation, 1st Edition;Elsevier. Inc User Interface Design and

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