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Benchmark Measurements of the BeRP Ball in Various Reflectors

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1165823· OSTI ID:1165823
Details of benchmark neutron multiplicity measurements of the 4.484 kg Beryllium Reflected Plutonium (BeRP) ball inside of various reflectors. Measurements were performed with an Ortec Fission Meter neutron multiplicity counter. Measurements were made of the bare BeRP Ball, the BeRP Ball inside 3 inch thick polyethylene, nickel, and tungsten, and the polyethylene with an additional 2 inch thick steel reflector. For every measurement, the mass mS of 240Pu, keff, multiplication M, and escape multiplication ME are reported. For each individual measurement, the measured mass mS of 240Pu in the BeRP Ball was within 20.7 grams (closest edge of measurement errorbar to closest edge of errorbar for reference mS from isotopics). The combined measurement of the mass of 240Pu mS = 267 ± 7 grams which compared very favorably to the known value from isotopics of mS = 266.8 ± 0.5 grams.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1165823
Report Number(s):
LLNL--TR-661297
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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