A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Radiation Test Object Operations at NCERC

Hutchinson, Jesson D.; Bounds, J.A.; Cutler, Theresa; Dinwiddie, Derek; Goda, Joetta; Grove, Travis; Hayes, D.; McKenzie, George; McSpaden, Alexander; Miller, James Christopher; Myers, William; Ferrer, Ernesto Andres Ordonez; Sanchez, Rene; Smith, Travis B.; Stults, Katrina; Thompson, Nicholas; Walker, Jessie

doi:10.1080/00295639.2021.1918938

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…This also includes many subcritical experiments. These experiments have been documented in a special issue of Nuclear Science and Engineering (Hutchinson et al, 2021b;Thompson et al, 2021b;Goda et al, 2021;Hayes et al, 2021;Sanchez et al, 2021).…”

mentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Many other experiments have been performed at NCERC specifically focused on nuclear data validation, including the TEX HEU and TEX Pu series, the Zeus series, and others (Percher and Norris, 2019;Norris, 2020, Norris andAraj, 2021;Mosteller et al, 2004;Mosteller, 2005;Hayes and Sanchez, 2006). These experiments are detailed in the NCERC Ten Year Papers and other publications (Hutchinson et al, 2021b;Thompson et al, 2021b;Goda et al, 2021;Hayes et al, 2021;Sanchez et al, 2021).…”

Section: Nuclear Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

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The National Criticality Experiments Research Center and its role in support of advanced reactor design

Thompson

Maldonado²,

Cutler³

et al. 2023

Front. Energy Res.

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The National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) located at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) in the Device Assembly Facility (DAF) and operated by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the only general purpose critical experiments facility in the United States. Experiments from subcritical to critical and above prompt critical are carried out at NCERC on a regular basis. In recent years, NCERC has become more involved in experiments related to nuclear energy, including the Kilopower/KRUSTY demonstration and the recent Hypatia experiment. Multiple nuclear energy related projects are currently ongoing at NCERC. This paper discusses NCERC’s role in advanced reactor design and how that role may change in the future.

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mentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Nuclear Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

The National Criticality Experiments Research Center and its role in support of advanced reactor design

Thompson

Maldonado²,

Cutler³

et al. 2023

Front. Energy Res.

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“…The sample originated from a larger piece of neptunium metal that had been used to fabricate a 237 Np metal sphere in 2001. 16 The material was cast for the first ever criticality experiment using a large (>1 kg) mass of 237 Np, 17,24 informing assessments of the critical mass of 237 Np and improving 237 Np nuclear data. The neptunium was originally produced at the Savannah River Plant, in the form of ca.…”

Section: T H Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Trace Actinide Signatures of a Bulk Neptunium Sample

et al. 2023

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In nuclear forensic analyses, measurements of actinide elements in a sample can assist with identifying interdicted or unknown materials. While these radiochemical signatures have been extensively investigated in uranium materials, less is known about bulk neptunium samples. This paper describes the measurement of trace actinide concentrations and isotopic profiles in a 237Np oxide sample. Uranium, plutonium, americium, and curium concentrations and isotopic profiles in the sample were determined and deemed potentially useful for distinguishing different sources of 237Np. Several different potential radiochronometry systems were also investigated; discordant results indicate that the Np sample was never completely purified of other actinide elements, or that subsequent contamination of the sample occurred. Few prior studies of neptunium materials have been reported, and these data suggest that trace actinide constituents could provide unique signatures to identify material out of regulatory control.

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“…Today, hundreds of RTO operations are performed each year at NCERC. 94 These RTOs also often involve spherical configurations with 25 [95][96][97] and 49. [98][99][100][101][102] Modern experiments still have goals to provide measured results for improvements in nuclear data (such as the ν − 1 − α results in Table 2).…”

Section: Conclusion and Continued Impactmentioning

confidence: 99%

Criticality Experiments with Fast ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu Metal and Hydride Systems During the Manhattan Project

et al. 2021

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Criticality experiments with 235 U (metal and hydride) and 239 Pu (metal) were performed during the Manhattan Project. Results from these experiments provided necessary information for the success of the Manhattan Project. These experiments have been previously described in compilations made after the Manhattan Project, 1-3 but those works are either lacking in technical details or are not publicly available. This work aims to provide detailed information while showcasing the enduring impact of these experiments 75 years after they were performed. Furthermore, we use modern computational methods embodied in the MCNP6 code and ENDF data to analyze and interpret these historic measurements. The world's first four criticality accidents are also discussed, as lessons learned from these helped shape the field of criticality experiments.

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A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Radiation Test Object Operations at NCERC

Cited by 7 publications

References 53 publications

The National Criticality Experiments Research Center and its role in support of advanced reactor design

The National Criticality Experiments Research Center and its role in support of advanced reactor design

Trace Actinide Signatures of a Bulk Neptunium Sample

Criticality Experiments with Fast ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu Metal and Hydride Systems During the Manhattan Project

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A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Radiation Test Object Operations at NCERC

Cited by 7 publications

References 53 publications

The National Criticality Experiments Research Center and its role in support of advanced reactor design

The National Criticality Experiments Research Center and its role in support of advanced reactor design

Trace Actinide Signatures of a Bulk Neptunium Sample

Criticality Experiments with Fast 235U and 239Pu Metal and Hydride Systems During the Manhattan Project

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Criticality Experiments with Fast ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu Metal and Hydride Systems During the Manhattan Project