| Issue |
EPJ Web of Conferences
Volume 106, 2016
ISRD 15 – International Symposium on Reactor Dosimetry
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Article Number | 05010 | |
| Number of page(s) | 8 | |
| Section | Experimental Techniques | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201610605010 | |
| Published online | 03 February 2016 | |
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201610605010
Validation of MCNP NPP Activation Simulations for Decommissioning Studies by Analysis of NPP Neutron Activation Foil Measurement Campaigns
1 National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (Nagra), 5430 Wettingen, Switzerland
2 NRG, Westerduinweg 3, 1755LE Petten, The Netherlands
3 BKW FMB Energie AG-Kernkraftwerk Muehleberg, 3203 Muehleberg, Switzerland
4 Kernkraftwerk Goesgen-Daeniken AG, 4658 Daeniken, Switzerland
Published online: 3 February 2016
In this paper, an overview of the Swiss Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) activation methodology is presented and the work towards its validation by in-situ NPP foil irradiation campaigns is outlined. Nuclear Research and consultancy Group (NRG) in The Netherlands has been given the task of performing the corresponding neutron metrology. For this purpose, small Aluminium boxes containing a set of circular-shaped neutron activation foils have been prepared. After being irradiated for one complete reactor cycle, the sets have been successfully retrieved, followed by gamma-spectrometric measurements of the individual foils at NRG. Along with the individual activities of the foils, the reaction rates and thermal, intermediate and fast neutron fluence rates at the foil locations have been determined. These determinations include appropriate corrections for gamma self-absorption and neutron self-shielding as well as corresponding measurement uncertainties. The comparison of the NPP Monte Carlo calculations with the results of the foil measurements is done by using an individual generic MCNP model functioning as an interface and allowing the simulation of individual foil activation by predetermined neutron spectra. To summarize, the comparison between calculation and measurement serve as a sound validation of the Swiss NPP activation methodology by demonstrating a satisfying agreement between measurement and calculation. Finally, the validation offers a chance for further improvements of the existing NPP models by ensuing calibration and/or modelling optimizations for key components and structures.
© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2016
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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