Measurement
and monitoring of the degree of subcriticality of accelerator-driven
systems (ADSs) are essential safety requirements to ensure that such
systems remain subcritical during operation and shutdown. In recent
years, a number of methods for measuring and monitoring subcriticality
in ADSs have been studied around the world. Many low-power experiments
have been performed, and still others are planned. Similar experiments
are being planned at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. One general
class of these techniques is based on neutron noise theory. As a part of
the experimental planning, we have carried out simulations of the
proposed noise experiments using a Monte Carlo–based neutron diffusion
code developed for this purpose. These simulations have provided us with
valuable information about the feasibility of the proposed experiments
and the kind of accuracy that can be expected from such measurements.
Since a diffusion theory–based Monte Carlo code has its own limitations,
a more accurate description will be provided by transport theory–based
analog Monte Carlo. The present paper discusses the development of such a
code specifically intended for simulating the noise-based experiments,
such as Rossialpha and Feynman-alpha. The code is based on the delta
neutron tracking method (also called the Woodcock and Coleman method),
which results in fast and relatively simple handling of complex
geometries. The code has been validated with a few criticality and noise
benchmark problems. The paper also presents results of simulations of
the proposed ADS noise experiments at the Purnima facility obtained
using the code.