(cont.) Since the results obtained in the main body of the analysis account only for thermal-hydraulic constraints, an estimate of the power reduction due to the application of neutronic constraints is also performed. This investigation, focused only on the "New Core" cases, is coupled with an increase of the thickness of the gap separating adjacent bundles from 2 to 5 mm. Under these more conservative conditions, the power gain percentages are lower, ranging between 24% and 43% (depending on the discharge burnup considered acceptable) for the upper pressure drop limit, and between 17% and 32% for the lower pressure drop limit.
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