Nuclear Data Needs For Generation IV, pp. 138-144 (2006)

Combining differential and integral experiments on 239Pu for reducing uncertainties in nuclear data applications

T. Kawano, K. M. Hanson, S. C. Frankle, P. Talou, M. B. Chadwick, R. C. Little,
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Abstract

We present an approach to uncertainty quantification for nuclear applications, which combines the covariance evaluation of differential cross-sections data and the error propagation from matching a criticality experiment using a neutron transport calculation. We have studied the effect on Pu-239 fission cross sections of using a one-dimensional neutron transport calculation with the PARTISN code. The evaluation of Pu-239 differential cross-section data is combined with a criticality measurement (Jezebel) using a Bayesian method. To perform the uncertainty quantification for such calculations, we generate a set of random samples of cross sections, which is representative of the covariance matrix, and estimate the distribution of calculated quantities, such as criticality. We show that inclusion of the Jezebel data reduces uncertainties in estimating neutron multiplicity.

Keywords: benchmarks, sensitivity calculations, uncertainties, Jezebel, PARTISN, cross sections

Get full paper, go to publisher doi:10.1142/9789812773401_0015
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