Critical separation between subcritical clusters of 4. 29 wt % /sup 235/U enriched UO/sub 2/ rods in water with fixed neutron poisons
Measurement data are presented from a series of criticality experiments on systems simulating fuel element shipping containers and fuel storage basins. The conditions investigated involve clusters of 4.29 wt % /sup 235/U enriched UO/sub 2/ fuel rods immersed in water. The number of rods required for criticality in a square lattice spacing (25.4 mm) near optimum neutron moderation and the critical separation between three subcritical clusters aligned in a row was determined. The effect that the following fixed neutron absorbers had on this critical separation was also measured: (1) 304L steel with 0, 1.1, and 1.6 wt % boron; (2) Boral; (3) copper with 0 and 1 wt % cadmium; (4) cadmium; (5) aluminum; and (6) Zircaloy-4. The fuel rods are 12.649 mm in diameter, clad in 0.660 mm thick, 12.827 mm ID aluminum tubing and varied in length from 914 mm to 927 mm. The neutron absorbers are in the form of plates and are positioned between the fuel clusters such that no line of sight existed between the clusters. Measurements were made with each absorber plate located approximately midway between the fuel clusters and with the plates near the respective cell boundary of the center fuel cluster.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-06-1830
- OSTI ID:
- 6759250
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG-PNL-2615; TRN: 79-004162
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CASKS
CRITICALITY
FUEL ELEMENT CLUSTERS
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NEUTRON ABSORBERS
SLIGHTLY ENRICHED URANIUM
STAINLESS STEEL-304
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
URANIUM DIOXIDE
WATER
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDES
ALLOYS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CHROMIUM STEELS
CHROMIUM-NICKEL STEELS
CONTAINERS
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CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
ELEMENTS
ENRICHED URANIUM
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
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HEAT RESISTANT MATERIALS
HEAT RESISTING ALLOYS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
ISOTOPE ENRICHED MATERIALS
MATERIALS
METALS
NICKEL ALLOYS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
URANIUM
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM OXIDES
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