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Title: Neutron energy spectra in the core and cavity of the ANO-2 PWR

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5056970

Transport calculations of the neutron energy spectrum in ANO-2, a PWR owned and operated by the Arkansas Power and Light Co., have been performed using the codes XSDRNPM, ANISN, and DOT-IV by two institutions: The University of Missouri-Rolla, Nuclear Engineering, and by Battelle Columbus Laboratories. The results of this work are intended to establish a benchmark methodology to be used for the estimation of the fluence hitting the Pressure Vessel (PV) of any PWR and thus predict the time period during which the integrity of the PV can be guaranteed under the reactor operating conditions. The calculations are based on a R-theta model of ANO-2 set up for the transport code DOT-IV.2. Using results of a R-Z calculation from the same code and a 1-D calculation from ANISN, a 3-D flux synthesis was accomplished. The flux thus obtained was used to obtain reaction rates for several threshold foils irradiated at in-vessel and ex-vessel locations. Displacements per atom (dpa) were also computed. The calculated reaction rates were compared with experimental ones obtained from foils irradiated inside one Surveillance Specimen Tube (STT), which was removed from ANO-2, and others irradiated in the cavity just outside the PV of ANO-2. The agreement between experimental and calculated reaction rates ranges from 16% to 34%. There is a considerable angular variation of the flux hitting the PV, a variation which depends on the core fuel loading and especially on the power distribution in the outermost row of fuel assemblies.

Research Organization:
Missouri Univ., Rolla (USA). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
OSTI ID:
5056970
Report Number(s):
EPRI-NP-4238; ON: TI85920899
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Includes 2 sheets of 24x reduction microfiche
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English