Evaluated Benchmark Experiments Research Articles

Evaluated benchmark experiments at critical assemblies simulating features of an HTHR at the ASTRA facility

The design of the ASTRA facility and critical assemblies that simulate physics features of modular high-temperature reactors (HTHR-Ms) with a graphite moderator and reflectors loaded with fuel particles having multilayer ceramic coatings is described in detail. Geometrical dimensions of the main elements and regions of the critical assemblies, composition of the materials used, and experimental results for various configurations of the critical assemblies are presented. A detailed computational benchmark model allowing for the structural and compositional features of the critical assembly configurations in question is developed on the basis of all the above data. The results are to be used for verification of the neutronics codes used for calculations of high-temperature helium-cooled reactors.

Evaluated critical benchmark VVéR physics experiments at the Russian Science Center Kurchatov Institute

To develop new-generation enhanced-safety VVER-1200 reactor with improved technical performance and cost effectiveness for AES-2006, it is necessary to increase the accuracy of the programs used to calculate the neutron-physical characteristics. Benchmark experiments with a detailed description of the geometry and material composition of the configurations studied are needed to verify such computational programs. Sixty-six evaluated critical experiments on VVER physics performed on benches at the Russian Science Center Kurchatov Institute are presented. They are combined into six assessments; they have passed an analysis by an international group of experts; and, they are included in the International Collection of Evaluated Benchmark Experiments ICSBEP.