APPLICATION OF INTERACTION CRITERIA TO HETEROGENEOUS SYSTEMS

Technical Report · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1957

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4839727· OSTI ID:4839727

Henry, H F; Newlon, C E; Knight, J R

Recent experimental criticality data with homogeneous and heterogeneous systems of interacting containers were used in evaluating an interaction principle for the safe storage and handling of dissimilar containers of fissionable materials. The experimental data which included slab and cylindrical geometries, U-235 assays of 93.2%, and H/U-235 atomic ratios from 0 to 330, and which extend below the useful range of a two-group theory previously used to evaluate interaction experiments, indicate that the principle is valid over the wide range of criticality parameters considered, and that a homogeneous system of interacting containers is, in general, more highly reactive than any corresponding heterogeneous one. An analysis was also made of the safety of cylindrical storage units where criticality control is based upon mass rather than upon geometric limitations. Calculations using a twogroup interaction theory indicate that, for containers meeting ORGDP safe interaction criteria, either uniform dilution or concentration of the fuel from an optimum H/U-235 ratio of about 600 will result in a smaller container separation being required. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Tenn.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• NSA Number: NSA-15-029881
• OSTI ID: 4839727
• Report Number(s): K-1335(Del.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CONFIGURATION
CONTAINERS
CRITICALITY
CYLINDERS
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
GROUP THEORY
HOMOGENEOUS REACTORS
INTERACTIONS
MASS
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
PHYSICS
PLATES
SOLUTIONS
URANIUM 235