Modeling Report of the CEA Cadarache MINERVE Reactor for the OSMOSE Project

摘要

The OSMOSE program (Oscillation in Minerve of isotopes in 'Eupraxic' spectra) is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Commissariat al'Energie Atomique (CEA). It aims at measuring integral absorption rates of minor actinides by the oscillation technique in the MINERVE experimental facility located at the CEA Cadarache Research Center. The OSMOSE program also includes a complete analytical program to understand and resolve potential discrepancies between calculated and measured values. The OSMOSE program began in 2001 and will continue until 2013. The Argonne National Laboratory has developed Monte Carlo and deterministic calculation models of the MINERVE facility to determine core and safety parameters such as axial and radial fission rate distributions, control rod worth, spectral indices, and the reactivity worth of oscillated samples. The goal of this report is to synthesize the reactor analysis work performed within the framework of the OSMOSE program by Argonne National Laboratory until September 2004. The Monte Carlo and deterministic models are detailed, and the calculated safety and core parameters as well as the reactivity worth of the calibration samples are compared with the experimental data for the R1UO2 and R1MOX core loadings.