A SEMI-EMPIRICAL METHOD OF ESTIMATING MATERIAL BUCKLINGS FOR SLIGHTLY ENRICHED URANIUM-WATER LATTICES
The calculated bucklings are compared with experimental bucklings measured on uranium rods in water at enrichments of 1, 2, and 3 per cent U/sup 235/, for rod diameters up to three inches. Twenty two such measurements are included. Bucklings are calculated using the one-group criticality equation. Lattice parameters are calculated. The maximum material bucklings obtained are biased high (conservative from the standpoint of nuclear safety). The bias, however, is not unreasonably large: for 1.0-inch diameter rods at 1.0 per cent U/ sup 235/, the bias is 130 plus or minus 320 microbucks; for 0.5-inch diameter rods at 3.0 per cent U/sup 235/, the bias is 190 plus or minus 330 microbucks; and for 0.3-inch diameter rods at 5.0 per cent U/sup 235/, the bias is 320 plus or minus 420 microbucks. Maximum bucklings and minimum critical masses are presented for water-reflected lattices of 1.03, 2.0, 3.063, and 5.0 per cent U/ sup 235/ enriched uranium rods in light water. Extrapolation lengths are estimated from experimental measurements. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(45-1)-1350
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-028337
- OSTI ID:
- 4843351
- Report Number(s):
- HW-68405
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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