Validation Methodology applied to SIMMER code for Fusion Applications

The V&V activity of the modified version of SIMMER-III code for fusion applications has been carried out applying a standard methodology for code validation. The methodology is based on a three-steps procedure and through qualitative and quantitative evaluations: 1) the initial condition results, 2) the reference calculation results, and 3) the results from sensitivity analyses. The qualitative accuracy evaluation is performed through a systematic comparison between experimental and calculated time trends based on the engineering analysis, the resulting sequence of main events, the identification of phenomenological windows and of relevant thermo-hydraulic aspects. Finally, the accuracy of the code prediction is evaluated from quantitative point of view by means of selected, widely used, figures of merit. The methodology was applied to the LIFUS5 campaign, available in literature. Post-test analyses highlighted open issues of test execution and of experimental data, as well as code limitations and capabilities.