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60 Years of U: Perspectives on resources, demand, and the evolving role of nuclear energy
Recent years have seen growing global interest in nuclear energy and rising confidence in the sector. For the first time since the early 2000s, there is renewed optimism about the industry’s future. This change is driven by several major factors: geopolitical developments that highlight the need for secure energy supplies, a stronger focus on resilient energy systems, national commitments to decarbonization, and rising demand for clean and reliable electricity.
Edward P. Ficaro, David K. Wehe
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 117 | Number 3 | July 1994 | Pages 158-176
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE94-A28531
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The KENO-NR Monte Carlo code was developed to simulate the measurement of R(ω) = G*12(ω)G13(ω)/G11(ω)G23(ω), a ratio of spectral densities measured by the 252Cf source-driven noise analysis (CSDNA) method for determining subcriticality. From a direct comparison of simulated and measured R(ω), cross sections and the physical system model can be benchmarked and then used in standard criticality codes for determining keff for a multiplying system. This procedure eliminates the dependence of the CSDNA method on the point-kinetics model and allows cross-section and geometry models to be validated for noncritical configurations. For a set of uranium cylinders (93.2 wt% 235sU and 17.7-cm outer diameter) of varying height, the simulated and the measured R(ω) values in the low-frequency limit and the prompt neutron decay constant a agreed to within 10%. These results indicate that the approach of validating a simulation of the direct experimental data should lead to improved neutronic parameters for fissile systems.
