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Leal, Luiz

Publications and source records attributed to Leal, Luiz.

At least 19 records

Resolved Resonance Evaluation for Neutron Interactions with 103 Rh up to 8 keV

A neutron cross-section evaluation for the n + 103 Rh reaction in the resolved resonance region was carried out in the energy range 10−5 eV to 8 keV encompassing thermal energy at 0.0253 eV. The scope of this work is to generate resonance parameters and resonance parameter covariances based on the Reich-Moore reduced R-matrix formalism using the code SAMMY. Some features of the new evaluation are the inclusion of high-resolution capture data in the SAMMY evaluation process and the extension of the resolved resonance range from 4 to 8 keV. Furthermore, the evaluation employs more accurate resonance parameter representation by exploring the use of the LRF = 7 ENDF feature and also the use of the LCOMP = 2 compact format for resonance parameter covariance representation. Included in the SAMMY evaluation are transmission data, capture cross-section data, and neutron scattering length information. Thermal cross-section values listed in the literature, as well as capture resonance integrals, were also incorporated into the evaluation process.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Neutron-induced capture-to-fission cross section ratio measured at LANSCE

Capture-to-fission cross section ratios are used as an alternative to absolute cross section measurements. This is due to the simplification on the calculations and the reduction of the uncertainties with respect to an absolute measurement of the cross section by eliminating experimental complications like self-absorption, beam/target overlap and non-uniformities. Different capture-to-fission reactions have been measured through the years at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) using the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE) combined with different fission detectors. Some of these are a Parallel Plate Avalanche Counter (PPAC) to detect fission fragments (FF), and the NEUtron detector array at DANCE (NEUANCE) to detect fission neutrons. As DANCE detects the γ-rays produced in capture and fission reactions, the fission instrument placed inside the DANCE cavity is used to tag the fission γ-rays for background identification and subtraction. Some examples of capture-to-fission ratio measurements performed with DANCE in the last years are the 233 U, 235 U and 239 Pu. The measurement technique, the different setups, and other potential applications of the instruments will be explained.

Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)↗

A Resolved Resonance Evaluation for 51 V with Resonance Parameter Covariance

In this presentation the 51 V evaluation in response to NCSP need is completed. Issues in connection to RR representation are addressed. Uncertainty and covariance information derived with the evaluation. Evaluation proposed and accepted for inclusion in ENDF/B-VIII.1 library.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

SCALE/DB-Public

This is a collection of public data produced by AMPX or curated from quality sources that the SCALE code system relies on for user problem input.

Brown, Jesse [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)↗

Nuclear Data: What is the big deal? [Slides]

This presentation begins with a look at the practical application: differential and integral data. It also includes a nuclear data evaluation: cross section formalisms, data processing and cross section library generation, computer tools, and criticality safety assessment: nuclear data. The presentation ends with some concluding remarks.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nuclear Data: From Measurement, Evaluation, Processing to Practical Applications [Slides]

Any analysis, design of a nuclear system will be as good as the knowledge of the nuclear data used whether differential and integral. ORNL is engaged in generating high level nuclear data for reactor, shielding, and safety applications. Nuclear data remains a major source of data uncertainties. Uncertainties on nuclear data rely upon measurements and evaluations. Tight connections with experimental facilities around the world have helped ORNL to address issues on ND and uncertainty. It is extremely important for ORNL to retain expertise on nuclear data in support of the research and expertise activities.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Outcomes of WPEC SG47 on "Use of Shielding Integral Benchmark Archive and Database for Nuclear Data Validation"

The Working Party on International Nuclear Data Evaluation Co-operation Subgroup 47 (WPECSG47) entitled "Use of Shielding Integral Benchmark Archive and Database for Nuclear Data Validation" was organised from 2019 and 2022 with the objectives to promote more systematic and wider use of shielding benchmark experiments in nuclear data (ND) and transport code validation and development, to provide feedback on the Shielding Integral Benchmark Archive and Database (SINBAD), and to promote its further development in coordination with the Expert Group on Physics of Reactor Systems (EGPRS). Altogether 9 meetings, the large majority (8) held remotely, were organised during the past 3 years to discuss the experience on the use of SINBAD, evaluation of new benchmarks and improvements to be contributed to the database which was severely neglected and lacking maintenance over the past ← 10+ years. Several proposals for new or updated benchmark evaluation were presented and discussed, such as FNG copper, LLNL pulsed spheres, CIAE iron sphere, KFK 1977 gamma measurements, Rez Fe sphere, ASPIS, ORNL Oxygen broomstick, TIARA and others. Complementing the database with new features was also discussed, for example providing the nuclear data sensitivity profiles more systematically would facilitate and better guide the use of data. Information on the geometry, (radiation source) and materials available in CAD format is expected to allow an easier and less error prone reference for computational model preparation and a potential input to CAD based workflows. Inputs for various transport codes and other benchmark data from participants have been shared via the NEA GitLab which could hopefully in the future evolve and form a bases for critically checked and validated benchmark data. Future development of SINBAD will be monitored by EGPRS and the newly created SINBAD Task Force.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Thermal scattering law for ice based on neutron time-of-flight experiments carried out at the SEQUOIA spectrometer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Precise estimation of neutron thermalization in moderators relies on high-fidelity thermal scattering cross-section data governed by the thermal scattering law (TSL). The Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) has been working on the development of improved TSL for light water ice. Many polymorphic phases of light water ice exist depending on the thermodynamic conditions. The most common type of ice at standard pressure and temperature below water freezing point (273.15 K) is ice-Ih. It is essential to have high-resolution experimental double differential data for developing and/or validating TSL for moderator materials.Existing experimental double-differential scattering data for ice-Ih are extremely sparse and of limited quality. New high-quality double-differential measurements for ice-Ih over multiple temperatures and incident neutron energies would directly support the validation and improvement of ice-Ih TSL models for criticality safety applications.Series of time-of-flight (TOF) inelastic neutron scattering experiments on ice-Ih at temperatures starting at 271 K and down to 6 K, have been carried out at the SEQUOIA spectrometer at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), United States. The experiments have been performed for incident neutron energies, Ei= 11, 55, 160, 250, and 600 meV, to explore different excitation energies in the vibrational phonon spectrum. This paper presents the thermodynamic conditions and the details of the TOF measurements on ice-Ih and the derived phonon spectrum from the experimentally measured double differential data. A study of the variation of the phonon spectrum of ice-Ih as a function of temperature is highlighted, and a preliminary TSL evaluation is developed based on the experimental phonon spectrum.

Jaiswal, V↗

Sensitivity/Uncertainty Comparison Study Involving IRSN, LANL, and ORNL Tools to Support Validation [Abstract]

Under a DOE Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) task involving Analytical Methods, three Laboratories collaborated in a comparison of results obtained from Sensitivity/Uncertainty (S/U) packages relevant to validation of transport codes. The task involves Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) comparing results of MORET 5/MACSENS V3.0, MCNP6.2/Whisper-1.1, and SCALE 6.2.3/TSUNAMI/USLSTATS respectively. All Monte Carlo transport code results utilize nuclear data from ENDF/B-VII.1 evaluation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Sensitivity/Uncertainty Comparison Study Involving IRSN, LANL, and ORNL Tools to Support Validation

Under a DOE Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) task involving Analytical Methods, three Laboratories collaborated in a comparison of results obtained from Sensitivity/Uncertainty (S/U) packages relevant to validation of transport codes. The task involves Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) comparing results of MORET 5/MACSENS V3.0, MCNP6.2/Whisper-1.1, and SCALE 6.2.3/TSUNAMI/USLSTATS respectively. All Monte Carlo transport code results utilize nuclear data from ENDF/B-VII.1 evaluation. This study examines five cases from the International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments (ICSBEP Handbook) selected as application models: IEU-MET- FAST-002-001, LEU-COMP-THERM-001-001, LEU-SOL-THERM-004-001, MIX-COMP- THERM-001-001, and U233-SOL-THERM-001-001. This is a continuation of a previous study to examine Pu and HEU cases: HEU-MET-FAST-013-001, HEU-SOL-THERM-001-008, PU-MET- FAST-022-001, and PU-SOL-THERM-001-001. Ultimately, comparison is made between Upper Subcritical Limits (USLs) obtained using each code package for each application case. Since differences exist in whether packages take into account margin of subcriticality (MOS), the USL is computed using only bias and bias uncertainty, also known as the calculational margin (CM) in ANSI/ANS-8.24. Results comparison appears to show that benchmark selection has a greater influence on the USL than the method used for calculation of bias and bias uncertainty.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗