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DOE OSTI · 1906975

TEX-HEU: Integral Experiments with Highly Enriched Uranium and Polyethylene [Slides]

Norris, Jesse D.·Nelson, Anthony J.·Percher, Catherine G.·Zywiec, William J.·Heinrichs, David P.
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Abstract

This presentation discusses Thermal/Epithermal eXperiments (TEX) in relation to integral experiments spanning a wide range of fission energy spectra utilizing existing NCSP fissile material assets, TEX-Pu for plutonium, and TEX-HEU highly enriched uranium (HEU) for highly enriched uranium. It also discusses the TEX-HEU design, the use of HEU fuel, and polyethylene parts. The experiment, executed in the Nuclear Criticality Experiment Research Center of the Nevada National Security Site is discussed, specifically how it was assembled on the Comet Universal Critical Assembly Machine. Measured quantities and various critical configurations are listed. In conclusion, the presentation states that they successfully assembled and documented the baseline TEX-HEU experiments, that six critical configurations and one reproducibility measurement were produced, and that they are compiling results to submit to the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project. A future experiment campaign is planned in 2021 with Hafnium as a diluent.

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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICSComet Universal Critical Assembly MachineFissile MaterialHighly Enriched Uranium (HEU)Integral ExperimentsNuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)Nuclear FissionPlutoniumPolyethyleneTEX-PuThermal/Epithermal eXperiments (TEX)

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Norris, Jesse D., Nelson, Anthony J., Percher, Catherine G., Zywiec, William J., Heinrichs, David P.. 2020-11-18. TEX-HEU: Integral Experiments with Highly Enriched Uranium and Polyethylene [Slides]. https://doi.org/10.2172/1906975

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