An alternative Source Jerk method implementation for the subcriticality estimation of the VENUS-F subcritical core in the FREYA project

As a prolongation of the FP-6 GUINEVERE (Generation of Uninterrupted Intense NEutron pulses at the lead VEnus REactor) project at the VENUS-F facility at SCK·CEN, the FP-7 FREYA (Fast Reactor Experiments for hYbrid Applications) project was launched in 2011. The FREYA project aims at validating the methodology for sub-criticality monitoring of a subcritical core as proposed in the MUSE experiments conclusions. This is needed for the reactivity monitoring of a powerful ADS (Accelerator Driven System) like MYRRHA. Experiments are also needed for sub-critical and critical ADS and LFR (Lead Fast Reactor) core characterisation for benchmarking and licensing purposes. Several levels of sub-criticality of the first sub-critical core were measured applying the integral Source Jerk method and compared to the reference results obtained with the MSM (Modified Source Multiplication) method. (author)