Critical Experiments Targeting the Epithermal/Intermediate Cross Sections of Tantalum

Conference · Sun Nov 12 04:00:00 EST 2023

OSTI ID:2439854

Ames, David E. ^[1]; Harms, Gary A. ^[1]; Lutz, Elijah ^[1]; Dupont, Mathieu ^[2]

---

1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have collaborated to develop a capability to test the epithermal/intermediate cross sections of materials at the SNL critical experiments facility using the Seven Percent Critical Experiment (7uPCX) fuel. The Sandia Critical Experiments Program provides a specialized facility for performing water moderated and reflected critical experiments with UO₂ fuel rod arrays. The facility offers the ability to modify the core configuration and reactor tank to evaluate various reactor cores for pitch, moderator characteristics, and other criteria. A history of safe operations and flexibility in reactor core configuration has resulted in the completion of nine sets of critical benchmark experiments that have been documented in the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP) Handbook. The experiment described here is expected to be evaluated for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the ICSBEP Handbook.

• 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: 2439854
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
7uPCX
ICSBEP Handbook
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)