A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Godiva IV Operations at NCERC

Abstract

The work presented in this paper focuses on the first 10 years (2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019)(2020) of Godiva IV operations at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC). Godiva IV is a fast burst critical assembly constructed of approximately 65 kg of highly enriched uranium fuel alloyed with 1.5% molybdenum for strength. Godiva is one of the last such critical assemblies in the United States and can be used for studies of super-prompt-critical behavior as well as irradiations and demonstrations. An overview of the startup of Godiva IV at NCERC is given followed by a summary of the experiments performed utilizing Godiva IV over the first 10 years of operation at NCERC.

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

“…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).…”

“…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).…”