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Measurements of the Effective Delayed-Neutron Fraction in Two Fast Critical Experiments

Stuart G. Carpenter, J.M. Gasidlo, J. M. Stevenson

Open publisher page 12 citations

Abstract

The effective delayed-neutron fractions of 235U and 239Pu have been determined for two fast critical assemblies from measurements of the absolute fission rate and the apparent reactivity worths of a calibrated 252Cf neutron source. The experimental values of βeff for the two fissile isotopes, 0.0078 to 0.00233, respectively, are in reasonable agreement with calculations. The results do not explain the 30% discrepancy in measured and calculated reactivity values in fast critical experiments.

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What this paper is about

The effective delayed-neutron fractions of 235U and 239Pu have been determined for two fast critical assemblies from measurements of the absolute fission rate and the apparent reactivity worths of a calibrated 252Cf neutron source. The experimental values of βeff for the two fissile isotopes, 0.0078 to 0.00233, respectively, are in reasonable agreement with calculations. The results do not explain the 30% discrepancy in measured and calculated reactivity values in fast critical experiments.

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Available abstract

The effective delayed-neutron fractions of 235U and 239Pu have been determined for two fast critical assemblies from measurements of the absolute fission rate and the apparent reactivity worths of a calibrated 252Cf neutron source. The experimental values of βeff for the two fissile isotopes, 0.0078 to 0.00233, respectively, are in reasonable agreement with calculations. The results do not explain the 30% discrepancy in measured and calculated reactivity values in fast critical experiments.

Key concepts: Fissile material, Delayed neutron, Prompt neutron, Neutron, Isotope, Nuclear physics, Fission, Uranium-235

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