Physics experiments in the ZED-2 reactor in support of the advanced CANDU reactor

A significant component of the validation of the reactor physics codes used for the design and safety analysis of the Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR) is being based on comparisons of code predictions to measurements performed in the ZED-2 reactor. Qualification of the codes will be based on ZED-2 measurements, benchmarking against MCNP and other codes, and comparison to reactor-physics commissioning data from the first ACR. The ACR lattice is significantly different from that of existing CANDU reactors. Some examples of changes to the ACR lattice that impact reactor physics are the use of: light-water coolant; reduced lattice spacing; modified fuel channels; CANFLEX fuel bundles; slightly enriched uranium (SEU) fuel; and, dysprosium burnable absorber. This paper describes the experimental program underway in the ZED-2 reactor to provide validation data to support the qualification of the reactor physics tool set. It lists experiments that have been done to date and provides a listing of planned experiments. A companion paper at these proceedings describes details of the process being followed for the qualification of the ACR reactor-physics tool set. (author)