Measurement and analysis of parameters in tight /sup 232/Th--/sup 235/U and /sup 232/Th--/sup 233/U lattices moderated with D/sub 2/O (LWBR Development Program)

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974

OSTI ID:6742084

Hardy, J Jr; Volpe, J J; Klein, D

Parameter measurements and calculations in two D/sub 2/O-moderated Thorium-Uranium critical assemblies are described in detail. The first, designated ETA-I, contained 6.7 w/o /sup 235/UO/sub 2/-ThO/sub 2/ fuel rods of 0.260'' diameter, clad in aluminum. The second assembly, designated ETA-II, contained 3.0 w/o /sup 233/UO/sub 2/-ThO/sub 2/ fuel rods of 0.430'' diameter, clad in Zircaloy-2. A relatively hard spectrum was obtained in both lattices. Because leakage was small and the central flux spectra were closely asymptotic, these assemblies provide a cleanly analyzable test of important reaction cross sections. Specific parameters measured in ETA-I were: /sup 232/Th fission//sup 235/U fission (delta/sup 02/), /sup 232/Th capture /sup 235/U fission (CR*), and epithermal/thermal ratios for /sup 235/U fission (delta/sup 25/) and /sup 232/Th capture (rho/sup 02/). Corresponding measurements (with /sup 233/U) were made in ETA-II. Supplemental fast-thermal spectrum comparisons were made between the ETA assemblies and the 4/1 TRX critical assembly by means of activation detectors. The lattices were analyzed explicitly with a full energy range Monte Carlo program having a detailed cross section description. ENDF/B Version 2 and LWBR cross section sets were used. Overall agreement with experiment was very good. 28 references. (NSA 30: 1937)

• Research Organization: Bettis Atomic Power Lab., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6742084
• Report Number(s): WAPD-TM-1089
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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