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Buckling of Light Water Lattices (.600" Diameter Rods, 1.3% and 1.15% 25)

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4372640· OSTI ID:4372640
Three methods are described for measuring the buckling of light-water lattices. In method 1, a sub-critical, cylindrical reactor lattice is placed in the neutron field of the Brookhaven reactor thermal column. The vertical relaxation length of the neutron-excited thermal neutron flux is then measured as a function of the loaded radius, and best values of buckling and reflector savings are found which fit the calculated functional dependence to the measured data. In the second procedure, that of the standard exponential experiment, buckling and reflector savings are determined from plots of the measured radial and axial variation of the thermal neutron flux, determined by foil exposure. Method 3 is essentially that of the critical assembly. Uranium is loaded in the presence of a Po-Be source until a keff of 0.99 is attained. The source is then removed, and the lattice is partly unloaded by steps. Foil counting methods and experimental procedures for obtaining relaxation lengths and radial traverses are explained. Tabulated buckling measurements are given for 1.15 and 1.3% enrichment factors at 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1.5:1 volume ratios.
Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP); US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
DOE Contract Number:
AT(30-2)-GEN-16
NSA Number:
NSA-10-003038
OSTI ID:
4372640
Report Number(s):
BNL-1627
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English