G. Aliberti

Physics challenges for advanced fuel cycle assessment

Advanced fuel cycles and associated optimized reactor designs will require substantial improvements in key research area to meet new and more challenging requirements. The present paper reviews challenges and issues in the field of reactor and fuel cycle physics. Typical examples are discussed with, in some cases, original results.

Integral Experiments Analysis for Validation and Improvement of Minor Actinide Data for Transmutation Needs

This paper presents the reanalysis of the PROFIL and TRAPU irradiation experiments, performed at the French fast reactor PHENIX, using new detailed information and a sophisticated calculational strategy. The analysis used the cross‐section data coming from five different data files: JEF2.2, JEF3.0, ENDF/B‐V, ENDF/B‐VI, and a preliminary version of ENDF/B‐VII. The observed discrepancies between calculations and experiments have been subsequently used for a four energy band preliminary adjustment that has indicated trends for future improvements of minor actinide cross sections.

Developments in Nuclear Energy Technologies and Nuclear Data Needs

Nuclear data needs can play an important role for innovative nuclear systems. However, in order to establish priority items, a systematic sensitivity/uncertainty analysis must be performed. Same selected examples will be discussed in this paper.

Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems and Related R and D Challenges

Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems can meet the objectives of sustainability and waste minimization, if appropriate concepts and technologies are developed. Relevant R and D challenges are foreseen, in particular in the fuels/ materials field. However, nuclear data needs in selected areas can arise too, and a few examples will be given in this paper.

MUSE-4 Experiment Measurements and Analysis

This report presents a review of the activities performed by the five teams involved in the MUSE-4 experimental program. More details are provided on the contribution by ANL during the year 9/02 to 9/03. The ANL activity consisted both in direct participation in the experimental measurements and in the physics analysis of the experimental data, mainly for the reactivity level, adjoint flux and fission rate distributions and the analysis of dynamic measurements for reactivity determination techniques in subcritical systems. The results provided to complete the Benchmark organized by the OECD and the CEA on the experiment MUSE-4 are also presented. Deterministic calculations have been performed via the ERANOS code system in connection with JEF2.2, ENDF/B-V and ENDF/B-VI data files.