a Stochastic Cellular Automata Model for Neutron Transport

The development of an inherently parallel cellular automata model for neutron transport is presented. The motivation and underlying assumptions of the model are discussed. The derivation of the particle balance equations from the generic continuous neutron transport equation provides an analytical method for determination of transition probabilities. Model implementation on a single-instruction multiple-data architecture machine is described. Implementation schemes on other parallel architectures are proposed. Several benchmarks in one and two dimensional Cartesian geometry for monoenergetic neutron transport are given. A one dimensional time dependent case is performed to examine the time evolution of the model. Finally, a one dimensional, two group case is performed to investigate the multispeed model predictions as compared to a conventional solution. The model compared well quantitatively in one dimension and qualitatively in time dependent and two dimensional comparisons. The multigroup implementation developed was not feasible but suggestions for improvement are given. A discussion of model limitations and possible extensions is presented.