Characterization of Uranium Foil Irradiations at the WSU TRIGA Reactor Using a New Reactor Model in SCALE

Author

Kimberly A. Hinrichs, Los Alamos National LaboratoryFollow

Publication Date

Spring 4-27-2020

Abstract

A new reactor model of the Washington State University TRIGA was developed in the SCALE neutron transport code, and its fidelity was verified by comparison to MCNP and available data for several reactor parameters. The model was used to characterize irradiations designed to produce the short-lived actinides ²³⁷U and ²³⁹U, two key isotopes for nuclear forensics. These short-lived actinides, their decay daughters ²³⁷Np and ²³⁹Pu, and total fissions (via ⁹⁹Mo) were measured in irradiated foils at Los Alamos National Laboratory and other labs with good agreement among parent/daughter pairs and among labs. The laboratory-measured isotope ratios were used as a benchmark for the model determination of reaction rates. The flux distribution in the foils was also determined. Finally, using the continuous energy TSUNAMI-3D module of SCALE, a sensitivity/uncertainty analysis was performed to determine the effects on foil reactions caused by other system-wide reactions and by uncertainties in the known cross-sections.

Keywords

nuclear forensics, short-lived actinide, radiochemistry, sensitivity analysis, uncertainty analysis, MCNP

Sponsors

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Nuclear Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Nuclear Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Christopher Perfetti

Second Committee Member

Anil Prinja

Third Committee Member

Robert Busch

Recommended Citation

Hinrichs, Kimberly A.. "Characterization of Uranium Foil Irradiations at the WSU TRIGA Reactor Using a New Reactor Model in SCALE." (2020). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/ne_etds/102