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Sensitivity theory for depletion analysis

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5969137
This study discusses a general perturbation theory for two of the common approximations used in burnup analysis. In this text these types are called the uncoupled and the coupled formalisms. The distinction lies in how the interaction between the nuclide and neutron fields is treated. It is shown that based on the coupled approximation three adjoint equations (for the flux shape, the flux normalization, and the nuclide density) are required to fully develop a perturbation theory which accounts for the coupled variations in the neutron and nuclide fields, arising from variations in initial conditions and nuclear data. The adjoint equations are derived in detail using a variational principle. A sensitivity methodology is established which seeks to estimate the change in various computed quantities when the input parameters to the burnup calculation are varied.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5969137
Report Number(s):
CONF-780858-2; ON: DE83013398
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English