Validation of actinide nuclear data based on reactivity worth experiments in a MOX-LWR spectrum. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leconte, P.; Antony, M.; Archier, P.; Bernard, D.; De Saint Jean, C.; Di Salvo, J.; Eschbach, R.; Geslot, B.; Gruel, A.; Tamagno, P.; Truchet, G.; Hudelot, J.P.
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 139(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Actinide -- Cross-section validation -- Reactivity worth experiments -- Minerve -- OSMOSE; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2019.107251
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Highlights: Unique set of experimental data regarding separated actinides from 232 Th to 245 Cm. Reference calculation methodology based on an exact perturbation method in TRIPOLI4®. Integral trends for improving future nuclear data libraries for future. Abstract: OSMOSE was a CEA/DOE collaborative experiment dedicated to the improvement of actinide nuclear data. Based on reactivity worth measurements of pure isotopic samples of various actinides from 232 Th to 245 Cm, it represents a unique set experimental data to validate evaluated nuclear data. This paper presents the analysis of the experiments conducted in a MOXLWR-type core configuration, with TRIPOLI-4® Monte-Carlo calculations. The comparison between calculated and measured reactivity worth shows a good agreement with JEFF-3.1.1 for all the actinides, except 241 Am. The combination of the C/E results with the sensitivity coefficients and prior covariances in a re-estimation process suggests that some improvement is required on the 241 Am (n, g), towards an increase of +6% of the JEFF-3.1.1 thermal capture cross section. Based on the same reestimation process, improvements in the nuclear data covariances are pointed out, with posterior uncertainties on the reactivity worth significantly reduced for 238 Pu, 239 Pu, 241 Am, 237 Np and 244+245 Cm.