Use of Isotopic Composition Data to Improve Reactor Calculational Techniques

Abstract

Before the availability of isotopic data from chemical reprocessing of spent nuclear fuels, burnup code normalization was done using data from small burnup samples. Chemical reprocessing plant isotopic data are an additional source of burnup data reliably measured to permit normalization of calculational code processes to real data. By applying isotopic correlation techniques to this source of data and to data from burnup calculations, it appears that procedures are available a). to detect code input errors, b).to detect calculational biases in both U and Pu isotopes and c). to diagnose calculational weaknesses. A means whereby the maximum use ,of dissolution data is realized is given. 6 1 2 1 C o m. p a r i s o n , o f Y a n k e e Rowe C o r e V D i s s o l u t i on .Ba..tch Da.ta and C o r e V C a l c u l a t e d , D a t a S 3