Monte Carlo analysis of Pu-H/sub 2/O and UO/sub 2/-PuO/sub 2/-H/sub 2/O critical assemblies with ENDF/B-IV data

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6551355· OSTI ID:6551355

Hardy, J. Jr.; Ullo, J. J.

A set of critical experiments, comprising thirteen homogeneous Pu-H/sub 2/O assemblies and twelve UO/sub 2/-PuO/sub 2/ lattices, was analyzed with ENDF/B-IV data and the RCPO1 Monte Carlo program, which modeled the experiments explicitly. Some major data sensitivities were also evaluated. For the Pu-H/sub 2/O assemblies, calculated K/sub eff/ averaged 1.011. The large (2.7%) scatter of K/sub eff/ values for these assemblies was attributed mostly to uncertainties in physical specifications since no clear trends of K/sub eff/ were evident and data sensitivities were insignificant. The UO/sub 2/-PuO/sub 2/ lattices showed just one trend of K/sub eff/, which indicated an overprediction of U238 capture consistent with that observed for uranium-H/sub 2/O experiments. There was however a approx. 1% discrepancy in calculated K/sub eff/ between the two sets of UO/sub 2/-PuO/sub 2/ lattices studied.

• Research Organization: Bettis Atomic Power Lab., West Mifflin, PA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-76PN00014
• OSTI ID: 6551355
• Report Number(s): WAPD-TM-1480
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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