Benchmark critical experiments on low-enriched uranium oxide systems with H/U = 0. 77

Technical Report · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5949027· OSTI ID:5949027

Tuck, G; Oh, I

Ten benchmark experiments were performed at the Critical Mass Laboratory at Rockwell International's Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado, for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They provide accurate criticality data for low-enriched damp uranium oxide (U/sub 3/O/sub 8/) systems. The core studied consisted of 152 mm cubical aluminum cans containing an average of 15,129 g of low-enriched (4.46% /sup 235/U) uranium oxide compacted to a density of 4.68 g/cm/sup 3/ and with an H/U atomic ratio of 0.77. One hundred twenty five (125) of these cans were arranged in an approx. 770 mm cubical array. Since the oxide alone cannot be made critical in an array of this size, an enriched (approx. 93% /sup 235/U) metal or solution driver was used to achieve criticality. Measurements are reported for systems having the least practical reflection and for systems reflected by approx. 254-mm-thick concrete or plastic. Under the three reflection conditions, the mass of the uranium metal driver ranged from 29.87 kg to 33.54 kg for an oxide core of 1864.6 kg. For an oxide core of 1824.9 kg, the weight of the high concentration (351.2 kg U/m/sup 3/) solution driver varied from 14.07 kg to 16.14 kg, and the weight of the low concentration (86.4 kg U/m/sup 3/) solution driver from 12.4 kg to 14.0 kg.

• Research Organization: Atomics International Div., Golden, CO (USA). Rocky Flats Plant
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-3533
• OSTI ID: 5949027
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-0674; TRN: 79-020058
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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