Nuclear Engineering ETDs
Publication Date
6-24-2010
Abstract
The uncertainty of a critical benchmark experiment is a very important result. This value tells how well each parameter in the system is known and therefore how well the multiplication factor is known. The current method of uncertainty analysis for benchmark evaluations is tedious and time consuming. If the time required for the uncertainty analysis can be decreased and also offer a robust analysis, this would greatly enhance the results produced from the benchmark experiments. Four experiments were chosen for evaluation in the work. The direct uncertainty analysis was performed as described in the International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments Uncertainty Guidelines. The process was duplicated from the benchmark evaluations to ensure the process was well understood as well as validate the computer code and cross section library used in this work. First order derivative equations were developed to correlate the direct uncertainty analysis values with the sensitivity coefficients produced from the TSUNAMI-3D computer code. TSUNAMI-3D produces sensitivities to the nuclear data, while the direct uncertainty analysis required sensitivities to the material, and physical properties. The goal of this work was to implement the sensitivities in the nuclear data with the first order derivative equations to offer a robust uncertainty analysis that required less time and produces a better analysis than current processes.
Document Type
Thesis
Language
English
Degree Name
Nuclear Engineering
Level of Degree
Masters
Department Name
Nuclear Engineering
First Committee Member (Chair)
Prinja, Anil K.
Second Committee Member
Harms, Gary A.
Recommended Citation
Barber, Allison. "Development of sensitivity analysis with the use of TSUNAMI-3D sensitivity coefficients for benchmark uncertainty analysis." (2010). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/ne_etds/22
