Development of a Consistent General Order Nodal Method for Solving the Three-Dimensional, Multigroup, Static Neutron Diffusion Equation

A consistent general order nodal method for solving the 3-D neutron diffusion equation in (x-y-z) geometry has ben derived by using a weighted integral technique and expanding the spatial variables by the Legendre orthogonal series function. The equation set derived can be converted into any order nodal schemes. It forms a compact system for general order of nodal moments. The method utilizes the analytic solutions of the transverse-integrated quasi -one dimensional equations and a consistent expansion for the spatial variables so that it renders the use of an approximation for the transverse leakages no necessary. Thus, we can expect extremely accurate solutions and the solution would converge exactly when the mesh width is decreased or the approximation order is increased since the equation set is consistent mathematically.