Kinetics calculations for RIA experiments in the Capsule Driver Core. [Reactivity Initiated Accidents]
Space-time kinetics calculations have been done for transient fuel behavior tests that were conducted during the late 1960's in the Capsule Driver Core in PBF. The purpose of the calculations was to determine the amount of energy deposited by delayed-neutron-fission in the test fuel after the power burst was terminated by control rod insertion. The kinetics calculations were done in two-dimensional (RZ) geometry with an EG and G Idaho version of the TWIGL two-group diffusion theory code. The delayed energy deposition was also computed with 33-group S/sub n/ transport theory using static methods. For these calculations, the one-dimensonal SCAMP program was used. Group constants for TWIGL and SCAMP were generated from ENDF/B IV data with the PHROG and INCITE multigroup spectrum codes. TWIGL results predict that 10.5 to 12.5% of the total energy deposited in the test fuel occurred after control rod insertion when the core was shutdown for reactor periods of 3 ms and 7.3 ms respectively. SCAMP results predict a delayed fraction that is 5 to 10% higher than the TWIGL results. A small uncertainty exists in both the TWIGL and SCAMP results due to an uncertainty in how far subcritical and the core was with the control rods fully inserted. The calculational models predict a cold core shutdown margin of 11$. From experiment, the shutdown margin was reported to be 9.3$. SCAMP calculations were done to evaluate the effect of this uncertainty on the delayed fraction. It was found that if the experimental shutdown margin were assumed correct, the TWIGL delayed energy fraction should be increased by about 8%.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- OSTI ID:
- 6703229
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-PHYS-5332; TRN: 81-003843
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
PHYSICS AND SAFETY ANALYSIS FOR THE NIST RESEARCH REACTOR.
PHYSICS AND SAFETY ANALYSIS FOR THE NIST RESEARCH REACTOR.