Calculational verification and process control applications utilizing the high sensitivity of noise measurement parameters to fissile system configuration

Measurements and sensitivity studies with the KENO-NR Monte Carlo neutron transport code show that this method has the potential to monitor many dynamic situations in nuclear fuel processing plants as a signature to verify that various processes are occurring in a repeatable or bounded way or to obtain the neutron multiplication factor. Noise analysis signatures are compared to reference signatures to verify normal operation. Deviations from normal is specified by measurements or by Monte Carlo neutron transport theory methods, directly calculating the measured parameters for the processing plant applications. Measurements with enriched uranyl nitrate solutions are presented to demonstrate the high measured sensitivity of noise-measured parameters.