Review of physics critical experiments using the thoria fuel system (AWBA development program)

The results from five sets of physics experiments involving thoria fuel systems in light water have been compared against predictions obtained using calculational methods developed for the Bettis Light Water Breeder Reactor (LWBR) program including both Monte Carlo and diffusion theory neutronic solutions. The nuclear data sets used in these comparisons consisted of those developed under the LWBR program along with both ENDF/B-III and IV nuclear data evaluations. Using the methods and nuclear data developed for LWBR, good agreement was found in the prediction of such quantities as reactivity, activation profiles, and region power fractions for the various lattice arrangements considered