Validation of nuclear data using historical critical assembly measurements

Predictive neutronics simulations depend on accurate nuclear data. We use integral experiments of near critical assemblies as one of the key validation experiments. The accuracy of these measurements is such that they are more constraining to a nuclear data evaluation than the underlying differentia...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: White Morgan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2017-01-01
Series:EPJ Web of Conferences
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201714606005
Description
Summary:Predictive neutronics simulations depend on accurate nuclear data. We use integral experiments of near critical assemblies as one of the key validation experiments. The accuracy of these measurements is such that they are more constraining to a nuclear data evaluation than the underlying differential data. But the solutions found in calibrating to these benchmarks are degenerate and other data are necessary to discern which is correct. Recently, we have begun to use activation data for this purpose. This paper describes many of the early Los Alamos experiments that are used in this process, with particular attention given to some of the systematic errors that affect these measurements.
ISSN:2100-014X