Some Observations in the Analysis of Heterogeneous Core Critical Experiments and Their Implications to Reactor Design

摘要

Analysis of heterogeneous core critical experiments was carried out at GE-ARSD and the results from the analysis provided a basis to: (1) assess the adequacy of the current design methodology; (2) verify the consistency of the basic nuclear data; and (3) address the important observations that may lead to the characterization of the neutronic behavior of a heterogeneous design. The critical experiments were performed in the Zero Power Plutonium Reactor (ZPPR) by Argonne National Laboratory and the assemblies were identified as ZPPR-7 and ZPPR-8. The analysis of the eigenvalue and reaction rate measurements in these heterogeneous critical assemblies is of primary interest and provides valuable information in application of integral measurements to reactor design. The purpose of this paper is to present: (1) some selected analysis results and important observations; (2) cross section sensitivity study results and possible correlations; and (3) implications of the analysis results to reactor design. (ERA citation 05:038172)