Preliminary Investigation of the ²⁵²Cf-Source-Driven Noise Analysis Method of Subcriticality Measurement in LWR Fuel Storage and Initial Loading Applications

Conference · Sun Nov 11 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6122253

King, W. T. ^[1]; Mihalczo, J. T. ^[1]; Blakeman, E. D. ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

The ability of the ²⁵²Cf-source-driven neutron noise analysis method to measure subcriticality has been demonstrated in a variety of experimental configurations of fissile materials. Calculations for an approximately 4-m-dia configuration of light water reactor (LWR) fuel elements indicated the feasibility of measuring the subcriticality of large, loosely coupled arrays of LWR fuel elements by this same method. These analysis suggested application to the initial loading of both pressurized and boiling water reactors, zero-power testing of reactors (such as shutdown margin measurements after initial loading), light water reactor refueling, and safe storage of LWR spent fuel. In the fuel storage application, direct measurement of subcriticality in the actual fuel storage facilities provides the parameter which is directly related to criticality safety.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6122253
• Report Number(s): CONF-841105-51-Summ.; ON: DE85005380
• Resource Relation: Conference: Joint Meeting of the American Nuclear Society and the Atomic Industrial Forum , Washington, DC (United States), 11 Nov 1984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
ENGINEERED SAFETY SYSTEMS
REACTOR FUELING
SPENT FUEL STORAGE
NEUTRON SOURCES
PWR TYPE REACTORS
CRITICALITY
CALIFORNIUM 252
REACTIVITY WORTHS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CALIFORNIUM ISOTOPES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
NUCLEI
PARTICLE SOURCES
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTORS
STORAGE
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Light Water Reactor (LWR)
Experimental Configurations
Fissile Materials
210100* - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled