²⁵²Cf-Source-Driven Neutron Noise Analysis Measurements for Coupled Uranium Metal Cylinders

Conference · Sun Jun 09 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5354510

Mihalczo, J. T. ^[1]; King, W. T. ^[1]; Blakeman, E. D. ^[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)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5354510
• Report Number(s): CONF-850610--39; ON: DE85016412
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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KINETICS
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