Antineutrino flux and spectrum calculation for spent nuclear fuel for the Daya Bay antineutrino experiment

The antineutrino flux from spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is an important source of uncertainty when making estimates of a reactor neutrino flux. However, to determine the contribution from SNF, sufficient data is needed such as the amount of spent fuel in the pool, the time after discharged from the reactor core, the burnup of each assembly, and the antineutrino spectrum of each isotope in the SNF. A method to calculate this contribution is proposed. A reactor simulation code verified against experimental data has been used to simulate fuel depletion by taking into account more than 2000 isotopes and fission products, the quantity of SNF in each of the six spent fuel pools, and the time variation of the antineutrino spectra after SNF discharging from the core. Results show that the SNF contribution to the total antineutrino flux is about 0.26%–0.34%, and the shutdown impact is about 20%. The SNF spectrum alters the softer part of the antineutrino spectra, and the maximum contribution from the SNF is about 3.0%. Nevertheless, there is an 18% difference between the line evaluate method and under evaluate method. In addition, non-equilibrium effects are also discussed, and the results are compatible considering the uncertainties. - Highlights: • Spend nuclear fuel (SNF) antineutrino contribution is important source in reactor antineutrino experiment, and a method was proposed to evaluate the contribution of spent nuclear fuel. • The shutdown impact was very large and about 20%, it should be taken into account when doing the SNF calculation. • Non-equilibrium effects are also discussed.