Evaluation of the ²⁵²Cf-source-driven neutron noise analysis method for measuring the subcriticality of LWR fuel storage casks

Conference · Sun Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:6831978

Mihalczo, J. T. ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

The ²⁵²Cf-source-driven neutron noise analysis method was evaluated to determine if it could be used to measure the subcriticality of storage casks of burnt light water reactor (LWR) fuel submerged in fuel storage pools, fully loaded and as they are being loaded. Measurements of k_eff would provide the parameter most directly related to the criticality safety of storage cask configurations of LWR fuel and could allow proper credit for fuel burnup without reliance on calculations. This, in turn, could lead to more cost-effective cask designs. Evaluation of the method for this application was based on experiments already completed at a critical experiments facility using arrays of pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel pins typical of the size of storage cask configurations, the existence of neutron detectors that can function in shipping cask environments, and the ability to construct ionization chambers containing ²⁵²Cf of adequate intensity for these measurements.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• OSTI ID: 6831978
• Report Number(s): CONF-8711195-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Journal Volume: 55
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
42 ENGINEERING
420203 -- Engineering-- Handling Equipment & Procedures
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BWR TYPE REACTORS
CALIFORNIUM 252
CALIFORNIUM ISOTOPES
CRITICALITY
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FUEL ELEMENTS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MEASURING METHODS
MULTIPLICATION FACTORS
NUCLEI
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
PWR TYPE REACTORS
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
SAFETY
SPENT FUEL ELEMENTS
SPENT FUEL STORAGE
STORAGE
SUBCRITICALITY
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES