Clean Critical Experiment Benchmarks for Plutonium Recycle in LWR's (Foil Activation Studies) (Final Report)

Technical Report · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6563763· OSTI ID:6563763

Smith, R. I. ^[1]; Konzek, G. J. ^[1]

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1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Foil activation measurements were made in twelve critical configurations. 235 Six configurations utilized rods containing UO₂–2.35% ²³⁵U and six configurations utilized rods containing UO₂-2 wt % PuO₂. Three lattice pitches were used with each fuel type to obtain fuel to moderator ratios of about 1.2 (under-moderated), about 2.5 (near-optimum), and about 3.7 (over-moderated). Measurements were made in each lattice pitch with the moderator berated and unborated. The average values of δ²⁸ in the interior of the unborated UO₂–2.35% assemblies were: δ²⁸ (M/F = 1.196) = 0.0755 ± 0.0055 and δ²⁸ (M/F=3.687) = 0.0341 ± 0.0028. The average values for p²⁸ in the same assemblies were: p²⁸ (M/F=1.196) = 2.227 ± 0.175 and p²⁸ (M/F=3.687) = 1.355 ± 0.117. Data are presented from which cell disadvantage factors can be derived for all twelve critical configurations.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-06-1830
• OSTI ID: 6563763
• Report Number(s): EPRI-NP--196(Vol.2)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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