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Experiments at Sandia to Measure the Effect of Temperature on Critical Systems [Slides]

Conference ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1831573· OSTI ID:1831573
 [1];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)

Estimation of the uncertainty in a critical experiment attributable to uncertainties in the measured experiment temperature is done by calculating the variation of the eigenvalue of a benchmark configuration as a function of temperature. In the low-enriched water-moderated critical experiments performed at Sandia, this is done by 1) estimating the effects of changing the water temperature while holding the UO2 fuel temperature constant, 2) estimating the effects of changing the UO2 temperature while holding the water temperature constant, and 3) combining the two results. This assumes that the two effects are separable. The results of such an analysis are nonintuitive and need experimental verification. Critical experiments are being planned at Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) to measure the effect of temperature on critical systems and will serve to test the methods used in estimating the temperature effects in critical experiments.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
DOE Contract Number:
NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1831573
Report Number(s):
SAND2020-12667C; 692274
Resource Relation:
Conference: 2020 ANS Virtual Winter Meeting, Held Virtually (United States), 16-19 Nov 2020; Related Information: https://www.ans.org/meetings/wm2020/session/view-210/
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English