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DOE OSTI · 1862795

Utilizing Sensitivity and Correlation Coefficients from MCNP and Whisper to Guide Microreactor Experiment Design

Maldonado, Alexis
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Abstract

When designing experiments for full-scale reactor systems, MCNP®* and Whisper can be used to create neutronic models and compare the similarity of two nuclear systems via correlation coefficients for κ eff , effective multiplication factor. This thesis applies this framework to a conceptual heat-pipe, yttrium-hydride moderated microreactor system and experiments. The framework is intended as a supplement to other neutronics/thermal/multiphysics analyses and provides a concrete method to measure the neutronic similarity of two systems. By analyzing the shared nuclear data uncertainty, as well as sensitivity to nuclear data over all neutron energies, highly informative experiments can be designed to aid in the development of microreactor and other advanced reactor technologies and systems.

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21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTINGcorrelationsexperimentsMCNPMicroreactorsnuclearsensitivitiesWhisper

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Maldonado, Alexis. 2022-05-01. Utilizing Sensitivity and Correlation Coefficients from MCNP and Whisper to Guide Microreactor Experiment Design. https://doi.org/10.2172/1862795

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