Modeling of Criticality Accidents and their Environmental Consequences

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

OSTI ID:6900066

Thomas, W.; Gmal, B.

In the Federal Republic of Germany, potential radiological consequences of accidental nuclear criticality have to be evaluated in the licensing procedure for fuel cycle facilities. A prerequisite to this evaluation is to establish conceivable accident scenarios. First, possibilities for a criticality exceeding the generally applied double contingency principle of safety are identified by screening the equipment and operation of the facility. Identification of undetected accumulations of fissile material or incorrect transfer of fissile solution to unfavorable geometry normally are most important. Second, relevant and credible scenarios causing the most severe consequences are derived from these possibilities. For the identified relevant scenarios, time-dependent fission rates and reasonable numbers for peak power and total fissions must be determined. Experience from real accidents and experiments (KEWB, SPERT, CRAC, SILENE) has been evaluated using empirical formulas. To model the time-dependent behavior of criticality excursions in fissile solutions, a computer program FELIX has been developed.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• OSTI ID: 6900066
• 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

050800 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Spent Fuels Reprocessing
054000* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Health & Safety
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
42 ENGINEERING
420203 -- Engineering-- Handling Equipment & Procedures
97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING
ACCIDENTS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
Accidental Nuclear Criticality
COMPUTER CODES
CRITICALITY
DISPERSIONS
EUROPE
F CODES
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
FELIX
FISSILE MATERIALS
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
LICENSING
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MIXTURES
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Radiological Consequences
SOLUTIONS
TIME DEPENDENCE
WESTERN EUROPE