ORNL Neutron Cross-Section Measurements in the Resolved Resonance Range for the NCSP
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Nuclear criticality simulations test the quality and the consistency of the existing nuclear evaluated data libraries such as ENDF/B, JEFF, or JENDL. In some cases, the cross-section evaluations of those libraries are found insufficient to describe accurately criticality benchmarks. The US Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) collaborates with the Joint Research Center (JRC) in Geel, Belgium, to perform high-resolution neutron-induced cross section measurements at the Geel Linear Accelerator (GELINA) to resolve deficiencies in nuclear data that have been emerging in criticality calculations. Problems with nuclear data include insufficient neutron energy range, missing covariances, and problems with previous experiments. For example, the use of the ENDF/B-VII.1 neutron cross section data for vanadium, cerium and zirconium in nuclear criticality safety calculations shows discrepancies between benchmark calculations measurements and demonstrates the need for reliable covariance data. For new covariances of existing data, a reevaluation of the old cross section data is needed. However, these data are in many cases no longer available. This deficit can be overcome only by obtaining new experimental data to serve as the basis of a new evaluation. Recent measurements were made of the neutron total and capture cross sections of natural vanadium and natural zirconium in the neutron energy range from 100 eV to several hundred keV. These measured data will be used to improve representation of the cross sections since most of the available evaluated data rely on old measurements.
- 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:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1465069
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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