Cf²⁵² Source-Driven Neutron Noise Analysis Measurements for Coupled Uranium Metal Cylinders

Conference · Sun Jun 09 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:5147014

Mihalczo, J. T. ^[1]; Blakeman, E. D. ^[1]; King, W. T. ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

The ²⁵²Cf-source-driven neutron noise analysis method for obtaining the subcriticality of an assembly of fissile material from cross-power spectral densities (CPSDs) was developed to avoid some difficulties inherent in other measurement methods. This method requires measurement of frequency-dependent CPSD between a pair of detectors in or near the fissile assembly and CPSDs between these detectors and a source of correlated neutron noise from an ionization chamber containing ²⁵²Cf, also in or near the fissile assembly. Also, the auto-power spectral density of the source is required. The ratio of spectral densities is then formed and is related to the subcriticality. To date various measurements have been performed which demonstrate the usefulness of the method including measurements with single uranium metal cylinders. The experiments described here, which used coupled uranium (93.15 wt% ²³⁵U) metal cylinders separated by air, are the first application of this method to coupled systems.

• 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)
• OSTI ID: 5147014
• Report Number(s): CONF-850610-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Journal Volume: 49
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
42 ENGINEERING
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BARYON REACTIONS
CALIFORNIUM 252
CALIFORNIUM ISOTOPES
Coupled Systems
Coupled Uranium
Cross-Power Spectral Densities (CPSDs)
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FISSILE MATERIALS
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUNCTIONS
GLASS SCINTILLATORS
HADRON REACTIONS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MATERIALS
Metal Cylinders
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEON REACTIONS
Noise Analysis Method
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
PHOSPHORS
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
SPECTRAL DENSITY
SPECTRAL FUNCTIONS
SUBCRITICALITY
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES