Experimental verification of new neutron absorbers concepts

• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2023.104572
• Publication Date: 2023-01-19T17:13:52Z
• Authors: J. Závorka; M. Lovecký; J. Jiřičková; R. Škoda
• Keywords: Nuclear data; Neutron capture; Experimental data; VVER

The presented paper describes experimental verification of the fixed neutron absorber for VVER-1000 fuel assemblies in the LR-0 zero-power reactor. This research determines the critical state parameters for fuel without these absorbers and for fuel with designed absorbers dedicated to the back-end of the fuel cycle and compares experimental data with the calculation. Several core configurations have been prepared, measured and evaluated. Two innovative forms of absorption materials were theoretically evaluated, then obtained and physically tested. From a neutronic and economic point of view, Gd2O3 and Sm2O3 in powder form were selected as absorber materials suitable for experimental verification. The reference calculation was realized with Serpent neutronic Monte Carlo code using ENDF/B nuclear data libraries.