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Title: Sensitivity functions for uncertainty analysis: Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of reactor performance parameters

Journal Article · · Advances in Nuclear Science and Technology
 [1]
  1. Nuclear Research Center-Negev, Be’er-Sheva (Israel)
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This chapter presents the mathematical basis for sensitivity functions, discusses their physical meaning and information they contain, and clarifies a number of issues concerning their application, including the definition of group sensitivities, the selection of sensitivity functions to be included in the analysis, and limitations of sensitivity theory. Examines the theoretical foundation; criticality reset sensitivities; group sensitivities and uncertainties; selection of sensitivities included in the analysis; and other uses and limitations of sensitivity functions. Gives the theoretical formulation of sensitivity functions pertaining to ''as-built'' designs for performance parameters of the form of ratios of linear flux functionals (such as reaction-rate ratios), linear adjoint functionals, bilinear functions (such as reactivity worth ratios), and for reactor reactivity. Offers a consistent procedure for reducing energy-dependent or fine-group sensitivities and uncertainties to broad group sensitivities and uncertainties. Provides illustrations of sensitivity functions as well as references to available compilations of such functions and of total sensitivities. Indicates limitations of sensitivity theory originating from the fact that this theory is based on a first-order perturbation theory.

Research Organization:
Nuclear Research Center-Negev, Be’er-Sheva (Israel)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6977822
Report Number(s):
Adv. Nucl. Sci. Technol.; (United States); Volume: 14
Journal Information:
Advances in Nuclear Science and Technology, Vol. 14; ISSN 0065-2989
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (7)

Variational Theory book January 1974
Application of Sensitivity and Uncertainty Methodology to Fast Reactor Integral Experiment Analysis journal June 1978
Sensitivity Theory from a Differential Viewpoint journal February 1978
User's guide for the JULIET module of the FORSS sensitivity and uncertainty analysis code system report February 1979
A generalized perturbation method for bi-linear functionals of the real and adjoint neutron fluxes journal October 1967
Variational Versus Generalized Perturbation Theories—Are They Different journal July 1975
Spectral Fine-Structure Effects on Material and Doppler Reactivity Worths journal February 1979

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22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING
DATA COVARIANCES
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
REACTOR KINETICS
CRITICALITY
DESIGN
ENERGY DEPENDENCE
FUNCTIONS
PERFORMANCE
PERTURBATION THEORY
REACTIVITY WORTHS
USES
KINETICS
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Data Covariances
Sensitivity Analysis
Reactor Kinetics
Criticality
Design
Energy Dependence
Functions
Performance
Perturbation Theory
Reactivity Worths
Uses
Kinetics
220100* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Theory & Calculation