Critical Eigenvalue in LMFBRs: A Physics Assessment

Conference · Mon Sep 17 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6895504

McKnight, R. D. ^[1]; Collins, P. J. ^[1]; Olsen, D. N. ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

This paper summarizes recent work to put the analysis of past critical eigenvalue measurements from the US critical experiments program on a consistent basis. The integral data base includes 53 configurations built in 11 ZPPR assemblies which simulate mixed oxide LMFBRs. Both conventional and heterogeneous designs representing 350, 700, and 900 MWe sizes and with and without simulated control rods and/or control rod positions have been studied. The review of the integral data base includes quantitative assessment of experimental uncertainties in the measured excess reactivity. Analyses have been done with design level and higher-order methods using ENDF/B-IV data. Comparisons of these analyses with the experiments are used to generate recommended bias factors for criticality predictions. Recommended methods for analysis of LMFBR fast critical assemblies and LMFBR design calculations are presented. Unresolved issues and areas which require additional experimental or analytical study are identified.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6895504
• Report Number(s): CONF--840901-5; ON: DE84010517
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
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97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING
BREEDER REACTORS
CRITICALITY
Diffusion Theory
EIGENVALUES
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
EXPERIMENTAL REACTORS
Eigenvalue
Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF)
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
KINETICS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR)
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
Monte Carlo Methods
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR KINETICS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
RESEARCH REACTORS
VIM
ZERO POWER REACTORS
ZPPR REACTOR
Zero Power Physics Reactor (ZPPR)