Criticality Experiments with Units of LWR-Type Fuel Rods Submerged in Water and Separated by Neutron Flux Traps

Conference · Sun Jun 12 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:5490248

Bierman, S. R.

A series of criticality experiments to provide benchmark-type data on neutron flux traps has been completed at the US Department of Energy Hanford Critical Mass Laboratory, operated by the Pacific Northwest Laboratories of Battelle Memorial Institute. The experiments were funded by the Sandia National Laboratory and are designed to simulate transport environments and high-density fuel storage facilities. The experimental assemblies consisted of 2 x 2 arrays of 4.31 wt% ²³⁵U-enriched UO₂ fuel rods arranged in water on a 1.891-cm² center-to-center spacing. This lattice spacing results in a moderator-to-fuel volume ratio of 1.6, which approximates that found typically in boiling water reactors and in pressurized water reactors. Each assembly consisted of four, near equally sized units of fuel rods separated by a neutron flux trap and varying amounts of moderator.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• OSTI ID: 5490248
• Report Number(s): CONF-880601--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Journal Volume: 56
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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