Criticality experiments with subcritical clusters of low enriched UO/sub 2/ rods in water with uranium or lead reflecting walls
A series of criticality experiments with 2.35 and 4.31 wt.% /sup 235/U enriched UO/sub 2/ rods in water has provided well-defined benchmark-type data showing that both depleted uranium and lead reflecting walls, submerged in the water reflector, are better neutron reflectors than water alone. For each fuel enrichment, the critical separation between three subcritical, near optimally moderated fuel clusters was observed to increase as either 77-mm-thick depleted uranium or 102-mm-thick lead reflecting walls were moved toward the fuel. The maximum reactivity effect was observed for the depleted uranium with approx. 20 mm of water between the reflecting walls and the fuel region, whereas for the lead, a maximum effect was obtained with essentially no water between the reflecting walls and the fuel region.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle-Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-06-1830
- OSTI ID:
- 5497407
- Journal Information:
- Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 47:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Criticality Experiments with Subcritical Clusters of 2.35 Wt% and 4.31 Wt% 235U Enriched U02 Rods in Water with Uranium or Lead Reflecting Walls Undermoderated Water-to-Fuel Volume Ratio of 1.6
Criticality Experiments with Subcritical Clusters of 2.35 Wt% and 4.31 Wt% {sup 235}U Enriched UO{sub 2} Rods in Water with Steel Reflecting Walls
Related Subjects
SPENT FUEL CASKS
CRITICALITY
NEUTRON REFLECTORS
CONFIGURATION
DEPLETED URANIUM
LEAD
REACTIVITY WORTHS
SPENT FUEL ELEMENTS
ACTINIDES
CASKS
CONTAINERS
ELEMENTS
FUEL ELEMENTS
METALS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
URANIUM
050900* - Nuclear Fuels- Transport
Handling
& Storage