Kinetic parameters determination through power sectral densities measurements using pulse-type detectors in the IPEN/MB-01 research reactor

Abstract

Nowadays, a collaborative effort to improve the prediction accuracy of some kinetic parameters has been recommended. In special, a target accuracy of ±3% (1 s.d.) was requested for βeff calculations, in way that βeff values must be measured with an experimental error of less than 3%. In such a way, the Reactor Physics Group at IPEN/MB-01 Research Reactor has been compiled an experimental data bank of kinetic parameters, including βeff, Λ, βeff/Λ and others, based on noise analyses techniques. The implemented techniques are: Power Spectral Densities (PSD) using current-type detectors, Rossi-α and Feynman-α techniques. All these techniques provided βeff values with uncertainties within the target accuracy. In order to conclude this data bank, in this work we have been performed PSD measurements using pulse-type detectors. The main advantage of this technique is that it is possible to eliminate some electronic modules, needed in the current-mode experiments, which are sources of parasitic noises. Furthermore, this technique can explain an anomalous behavior reported in current-mode measurements, which is a non-observation of a theoretical predicted plateau above 200Hz, approximately. Once completed, the kinetic parameters data bank should provide valuable information to determine whether or not the currently data libraries are sufficiently accurate to predict these measured parameters. Further, we intend to submit a proposal for the first international benchmark related to βeff measurements, to the International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP, NEA data bank).