Preliminary analysis of the ANL proposed safety related critical experiments

It has been proposed that a series of safety related critical experiments be carried out as benchmarks to check calculational techniques and cross-section data required to predict LMFBR HCDA (hypothetical core disruptive accident) and subsequent postaccident recriticality phenomena. The ZPR-9 critical experiment facility at ANL is to be used for this program. The envisioned experimental sequence of configurations includes both disrupted geometries which are slumped in (compacted along the centerline) and slumped out (compacted along the blanket core interface or compacted in the axial blanket). A preliminary analysis of selected assemblies is presented. In addition, selected assemblies are recalculated with a 20 cm 238U reflector surrounding them. The techniques used in the analysis and the various configurations considered are outlined. Results, conclusions, and suggestions are included