Sampling-based uncertainty quantification of the six-group kinetic parameters

Majdi I. Radaideh, William A. Wieselquist, Tomasz Kozlowski

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The calculation is performed by summation of the delayed neutron data for each precursor isotope and then weighting is performed by real and/or adjoint neutron spectrum. Quantifying uncertainties in the weighted kinetic parameters is important for assembly and core calculations. Understanding uncertainty in modeling scenarios involve kinetic parameters (e.g. transients), requires propagating uncertainty in the weighted kinetic parameters due to uncertainties in fundamental nuclear data libraries, including delayed neutron data. In this work, uncertainty analysis of the weighted kinetic parameters has been performed using Sampler, a part of the SCALE code system, to investigate the effect of fundamental nuclear data uncertainties on the weighted kinetic parameters. Two major sources of uncertainties were considered: (1) neutron cross-sections and (2) fundamental delayed neutron data based on reported experimental measurements. In this study, a new capability was developed through SCALE code system to allow propagation of delayed neutron data uncertainties. Preliminary analysis demonstrated 7% uncertainty in βeffat Beginning of Life (BOL) and increased to 15% after fuel burnup. Decay constant groups showed lower uncertainty than delayed neutron fraction groups, both at BOL and End of Life (EOL). The precursor groups 5 and 6 have high uncertainty in general compared to other groups due to the higher delayed neutron data uncertainties for these groups.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2018
Subtitle of host publicationReactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems
PublisherSociedad Nuclear Mexicana, A.C.
Pages3664-3675
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9781713808510
StatePublished - 2018
Event2018 International Conference on Physics of Reactors: Reactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems, PHYSOR 2018 - Cancun, Mexico
Duration: Apr 22 2018Apr 26 2018

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2018: Reactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems
VolumePart F168384-6

Conference

Conference2018 International Conference on Physics of Reactors: Reactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems, PHYSOR 2018
Country/TerritoryMexico
CityCancun
Period04/22/1804/26/18

Keywords

  • Delayed Neutrons
  • Kinetic Parameters
  • SCALE
  • Sampler
  • Uncertainty Quantification

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