A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Godiva IV Operations at NCERC

Journal Article · 13 October 2021 · Nuclear Science and Engineering

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2021.1947103 · OSTI ID:1900379

Goda, Joetta  ^[1]; Bravo, Caiser  ^[2]; Cutler, Theresa  ^[1]; Grove, Travis  ^[1]; Hayes, David  ^[1]; Hutchinson, Jesson  ^[1]; McKenzie, George  ^[1]; McSpaden, Alexander  ^[1]; Myers, William  ^[1]; Sanchez, Rene  ^[1]; Walker, Jessie ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
2. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

The work presented in this paper focuses on the first 10 years (2011–2020) of Godiva IV operations at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC). Godiva IV is a fast burst critical assembly constructed of approximately 65 kg of highly enriched uranium fuel alloyed with 1.5% molybdenum for strength. Godiva is one of the last such critical assemblies in the United States and can be used for studies of super-prompt-critical behavior as well as irradiations and demonstrations. An overview of the startup of Godiva IV at NCERC is given followed by a summary of the experiments performed utilizing Godiva IV over the first 10 years of operation at NCERC.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• Grant/Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1900379
• Journal Information: Nuclear Science and Engineering, Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering Journal Issue: sup1 Vol. 195; ISSN 0029-5639
• Publisher: Taylor & FrancisCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English