Neutronics simulations of 237Np targets to support safety-basis and 238Pu production assessment efforts at the high flux isotope reactor

David Chandler; Ronald J. Ellis

Neutronics simulations of ²³⁷Np targets to support safety-basis and ²³⁸Pu production assessment efforts at the high flux isotope reactor

David Chandler, Ronald J. Ellis

Research and Test Reactor Physics

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fueled by two highly enriched uranium-bearing fuel elements surrounded by a large concentric ring of beryllium reflector, the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) provides one of the highest neutron fluxes in the world and is used to produce unique isotopes like ²³⁸Pu. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration use radioisotope thermoelectric generators powered by ²³⁸Pu for deep-space missions. As part of the US Department of Energy's task to reestablish the domestic production of ²³⁸Pu, a technology demonstration sub-project has been initiated to establish a new ²³⁸Pu supply chain. HFIR safety-basis neutronics calculations are being performed to ensure the target irradiations have no adverse impacts on reactor performance and to calculate data required as input to follow-on thermal-structural, thermal-hydraulic, radionuclide/dose, and production yield estimation analyses. ²³⁸Pu production assessments are being performed to estimate the amount of ²³⁸Pu that can be produced in HFIR's permanent beryllium reflector. It is estimated that a total of 0.96-1.12 kg ²³⁸Pu (∼1.28-1.49 kg PuO₂ at 85% ²³⁸Pu/Pu purity) could be produced per year in HFIR's permanent beryllium reflector irradiation facilities if they are all utilized.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015
Publisher	American Nuclear Society
Pages	40-49
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Electronic)	9781510843424
State	Published - 2015
Event	2015 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015 - Albuquerque, United States Duration: Feb 23 2015 → Feb 26 2015

Publication series

Name	Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015

Conference

Conference	2015 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015
Country/Territory	United States
City	Albuquerque
Period	02/23/15 → 02/26/15

Funding

This work has been sponsored by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and the US DOE Office of Space and

Keywords

Depletion
HFIR
Isotope
Neutronics
Pu

Cite this

@inproceedings{a059c8c27d834608bb282ddcac61d3ed,

title = "Neutronics simulations of 237Np targets to support safety-basis and 238Pu production assessment efforts at the high flux isotope reactor",

abstract = "Fueled by two highly enriched uranium-bearing fuel elements surrounded by a large concentric ring of beryllium reflector, the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) provides one of the highest neutron fluxes in the world and is used to produce unique isotopes like 238Pu. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration use radioisotope thermoelectric generators powered by 238Pu for deep-space missions. As part of the US Department of Energy's task to reestablish the domestic production of 238Pu, a technology demonstration sub-project has been initiated to establish a new 238Pu supply chain. HFIR safety-basis neutronics calculations are being performed to ensure the target irradiations have no adverse impacts on reactor performance and to calculate data required as input to follow-on thermal-structural, thermal-hydraulic, radionuclide/dose, and production yield estimation analyses. 238Pu production assessments are being performed to estimate the amount of 238Pu that can be produced in HFIR's permanent beryllium reflector. It is estimated that a total of 0.96-1.12 kg 238Pu (∼1.28-1.49 kg PuO2 at 85% 238Pu/Pu purity) could be produced per year in HFIR's permanent beryllium reflector irradiation facilities if they are all utilized.",

keywords = "Depletion, HFIR, Isotope, Neutronics, Pu",

author = "David Chandler and Ellis, {Ronald J.}",

year = "2015",

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series = "Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015",

publisher = "American Nuclear Society",

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Chandler, D & Ellis, RJ 2015, Neutronics simulations of ²³⁷Np targets to support safety-basis and ²³⁸Pu production assessment efforts at the high flux isotope reactor. in Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015. Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015, American Nuclear Society, pp. 40-49, 2015 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015, Albuquerque, United States, 02/23/15.

Neutronics simulations of ²³⁷Np targets to support safety-basis and ²³⁸Pu production assessment efforts at the high flux isotope reactor. / Chandler, David; Ellis, Ronald J.
Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015. American Nuclear Society, 2015. p. 40-49 (Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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T1 - Neutronics simulations of 237Np targets to support safety-basis and 238Pu production assessment efforts at the high flux isotope reactor

AU - Chandler, David

AU - Ellis, Ronald J.

PY - 2015

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N2 - Fueled by two highly enriched uranium-bearing fuel elements surrounded by a large concentric ring of beryllium reflector, the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) provides one of the highest neutron fluxes in the world and is used to produce unique isotopes like 238Pu. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration use radioisotope thermoelectric generators powered by 238Pu for deep-space missions. As part of the US Department of Energy's task to reestablish the domestic production of 238Pu, a technology demonstration sub-project has been initiated to establish a new 238Pu supply chain. HFIR safety-basis neutronics calculations are being performed to ensure the target irradiations have no adverse impacts on reactor performance and to calculate data required as input to follow-on thermal-structural, thermal-hydraulic, radionuclide/dose, and production yield estimation analyses. 238Pu production assessments are being performed to estimate the amount of 238Pu that can be produced in HFIR's permanent beryllium reflector. It is estimated that a total of 0.96-1.12 kg 238Pu (∼1.28-1.49 kg PuO2 at 85% 238Pu/Pu purity) could be produced per year in HFIR's permanent beryllium reflector irradiation facilities if they are all utilized.

AB - Fueled by two highly enriched uranium-bearing fuel elements surrounded by a large concentric ring of beryllium reflector, the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) provides one of the highest neutron fluxes in the world and is used to produce unique isotopes like 238Pu. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration use radioisotope thermoelectric generators powered by 238Pu for deep-space missions. As part of the US Department of Energy's task to reestablish the domestic production of 238Pu, a technology demonstration sub-project has been initiated to establish a new 238Pu supply chain. HFIR safety-basis neutronics calculations are being performed to ensure the target irradiations have no adverse impacts on reactor performance and to calculate data required as input to follow-on thermal-structural, thermal-hydraulic, radionuclide/dose, and production yield estimation analyses. 238Pu production assessments are being performed to estimate the amount of 238Pu that can be produced in HFIR's permanent beryllium reflector. It is estimated that a total of 0.96-1.12 kg 238Pu (∼1.28-1.49 kg PuO2 at 85% 238Pu/Pu purity) could be produced per year in HFIR's permanent beryllium reflector irradiation facilities if they are all utilized.

KW - Depletion

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KW - Neutronics

KW - Pu

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PB - American Nuclear Society

T2 - 2015 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2015

Y2 - 23 February 2015 through 26 February 2015

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