Phase II-B specifications

A realistic configuration of 21 PWR spent fuel assemblies in a stainless steel transport flask was
evaluated (see Appendix 1 and Figures 1, 2 and 3). A borated stainless steel basket centred in the flask
separates the assemblies. The basket (5x5 array with the four corner positions removed) was fully
flooded with water. The main characteristics of the fuel assembly are:

17x17 array (289 rods, no guide tubes), water moderated cells with pitch equal to 1.2598 cm;

initial fuel enrichment equal to 4.5 wt%;

fuel diameter equal to 0.8192 cm, rod ID = 0.8357 cm and OD = 0.9500 cm which lead to a
moderation ratio Vmod / Vox = 1.67.

Nine different specified cases were studied (which are a subset of the total 26 cases studied in
Phase II-A). The following parameters were considered:

Burn-up: 0 (fresh fuel), 30 GWd/t or 50 GWd/t.

Cooling time: 5 years.

Fuel composition: the composition used was specified in Phase II-A (see Appendices 1 and 2).
For irradiated fuels, two types of representation were studied, one where the composition included
both actinides and fission products and a second where only actinides were present.

Axial burn-up modelling: as in Phase II-A, the effect of burn-up profile modelling was studied.
Two approximations were compared: one uniform burn-up zone (equal to the axial average burnup) and an axially symmetrical distributed burn-up represented by nine uniform zones as shown in
Figure 3; the burn-up in each zone is given in the following table.

Zone number

1 and 9

2 and 8

3 and 7

4 and 6

Dimension (cm)

10

20

285.7

Burnup (GWd/t)

12.33

14.04

18.01

24.01

32.86

21.57

24.02

30.58

40.42

54.61

Av. 30 GWd/t
Burnup (GWd/t)
Av. 30 GWd/t

These cases are summarised in Table 1.

D. Mennerdahl made a proposal for two additional benchmarks (X1 and X2) in order to
accentuate the effect of axial burn-up profile discretisation in accident conditions (Appendix 4). The
specifications of these benchmarks are close to those of Cases A and B: burn-up equal to 30 GWd/t,
fission products included, with or without burn-up profile. The only change consists of reducing the
borated steel basket height. Thus, while the top of this basket is at the same level as water in the basic
cases (A and B), it becomes 20 cm lower than the top of fuel assemblies in the modified cases (X1
and X2). This introduces a strong axial heterogeneity to the problem which has an important impact
on modelling effects associated with representations of the axial burn-up profile.

Table 1. Cases identification (nine basic cases)

Case #
A
A
B
B
C
C
D
D
E

Burn-up (GWd/t)
30
30
30
30
50
50
50
50
0 (fresh fuel)

Axial profile modelled?

No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes

Fission product included?

Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No

For all irradiated fuels the cooling time is equal to five years.

Table 2. List of participants

#

Participan Country Code used

Library used
t
ABB
Sweden PHOENIX4 (2-D lattice code) PHOENIX4 library
+ KENO-V.a (MC)
(ENDF/B6)

Groups

Comments

89

BfS-IKE

Germany CHM / MORSE-K

242/60

BNFL

UK

Pointwise

CEA

France

242-group library
(JEF-1)
60-group for MORSE
MONK (MC)
8220 group UKNDL +
JEF2.2 for FP
APOLLO-2 (assembly code) + CEA93 (JEF2.2)
TRIMARAN-2 (MC)

MC calculation
performed using
99 groups
Cr and Fe were omitted
in the fuel cladding
material

CSN

Spain

CASMO-3/SIMULATE-3P

70

6
7
8

EMS
GRS
IPSN

9 JAERI
10 JINS-1

Sweden SCALE-4.1
Germany SCALE-4
France APOLLO-1 (assembly code)
+ MORET-3 (MC)
Japan
MCNP-4A (MC)
Japan
KENO-V.a (MC)

70-group E4LTJB7
(ENDF/B4-B5 anf JEF2)
27 group burn-up library
27 group depletion library
CEA86 (JEF1
+ ENDF/B4 and B5)
JENDL3.2
MGCL-JINS (JENDL3.2 for
FP and ENDF/B4 for the
others)

11 JINS-2
12 ORNL

Japan
USA

KENO-V.a (MC)
SCALE-4.3

Scale 27 group library

Scale 44Groupndf5

27
44

13 PNC
14 UKDOT

Japan
UK

SCALE-4.2
MONK-6.B (MC)

27 group burn-up library

8220 group UKNDL +
JEF2.2 for FP

27
Pointwise

21

99

MC calculation
performed using
16 groups
95
Mo, 99Tc and 101Ru
were omitted

27
27
99
Pointwise
137

Fuel pellets, clads and

moderators are modelled
individually.
No smeared technique
applied.
CSAS25 sequence for
no axial distribution.
CSASN sequence +
stand-alone KENO-V.a
for cases with axial
distribution.

Figure 1

38

Figure 2

39

Figure 3

40

APPENDIX 1
Material and geometrical description

Fuel assembly (based on Westinghouse 17

17 design)

Fuel rod data

Fuel diameter
Rod ID
Rod OD
Fuel length
Fuel material

0.8192 cm
0.8357 cm
0.9500 cm
365.7 cm
UO2 (assumed isotopic composition from Phase II-A
4.5 wt% 30 GWd/t fuel, 5 y cooling time)

Clad material
Gas gap
Endplug material
Endplug height
Full rod length
Upper hardware
Lower hardware
Upper water region
Lower water region

Zircaloy
Void
Zircaloy
1.75 cm
369.2 cm (fuel + 2 endplug)
30.0 cm
10.0 cm
7.0 cm
0.0 cm

Axial fuel division (9 axial regions)

Region 1 (fuel top)
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Region 6
Region 7
Region 8
Region 9
Assembly data
Lattice
Dimensions
Pitch
Moderator
Upper and lower end
Hardware

5 cm
5 cm
10 cm
20 cm
285.7 cm
20 cm
10 cm
5 cm
5 cm
1717 (289 fuel rods, no guide tubes)
21.4172821.41728409.2 cm3
1.25984 cm
Water
50% stainless steel, 50% H2O (by volume)
(Note: rather than attempt to model the detail of the assembly
end hardware, it has been chosen to mock up the hardware as
a region of smeared water and stainless steel. Other hardware
(e.g., grid spacers) is ignored.
59

Cask
Cask shell
ID
OD
Material
Height (outside)
Height (inner cavity)
Assembly basket
Inner basket compartment
dimensions
Material
Basket wall thickness

136.0 cm
196.0 cm
Stainless steel (SS304)
476.2 cm
416.2 cm
22 cm22 cm416.2 cm (per assemblys position)
Borated stainless steel (1 wt % boron)
1 cm

Configuration
21 assembly positions in a 55 array (no corner positions)
Fuel assemblies are centred within basket region
Cask is completely flooded with water
Material compositions (densities in atom/barn-cm)
Zircaloy

Cr
Fe
Zr

7.589E-05
1.484E-04
4.298E-02

Water

H
O

6.662E-02
3.331E-02

Stainless steel

Cr
Mn
Fe
Ni

1.743E-02
1.736E-03
5.936E-02
7.721E-03

Borated (1 wt %)
stainless steel

Cr
Mn
Fe
Ni
10
B
11
B

1.691E-02
1.684E-03
5.758E-02
7.489E-03
7.836E-04
3.181E-03

50/50 stainless steel/

water mixture

Cr
Mn
Fe
Ni
H
O

8.714E-03
8.682E-04
2.968E-02
3.860E-03
3.338E-02
1.669E-02

60

APPENDIX 2
Spent fuel composition

Axially averaged burn-up cases (A and C)

Average BU = 30 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
234

5.83E-06

234

4.56E-06

4.33E-04

235

2.07E-04

1.16E-04

236

1.46E-04

2.16E-02

238

2.12E-02

Pu

2.60E-06

238

Pu

8.69E-06

1.42E-04

239

Pu

1.53E-04

3.84E-05

240

Pu

6.15E-05

2.14E-05

241

Pu

3.43E-05

5.39E-06

242

235
236
238
238
239
240
241
242
241
243

U
U
U

Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu

Am
Am

237
95

Np

Mo

99
101
103
109

147
149
150
151
152

Tc

Ru

Rh

Ag

133

Cs

Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm

143
145

Nd
Nd

153
155

Average BU = 50 GWd/t
5 years cooling time

Eu

Gd

16

Pu

1.71E-05

6.50E-06

241

Am

1.08E-05

9.10E-07

243

Am

4.81E-06

1.07E-05

237

4.24E-05

95

Np

1.99E-05

Mo

6.52E-05

4.08E-05

99

3.80E-05

101

2.30E-05

103

3.09E-06

109

4.45E-05

133

Tc

6.26E-05

Ru

6.24E-05

Rh

3.36E-05

Ag

6.25E-06

Cs

6.77E-05

7.95E-06

147

Sm

9.90E-06

1.99E-07

149

Sm

1.96E-07

1.03E-05

150

Sm

1.72E-05

6.57E-07

151

Sm

7.95E-07

4.11E-06

152

Sm

6.33E-06

3.31E-05

143

Nd

4.45E-05

2.49E-05

145

Nd

3.74E-05

3.17E-06

153

2.14E-07

155

4.62E-02

61

Eu

5.99E-06

Gd

5.31E-07

16

4.62E-02

Axially distributed burn-up cases (Case B)

Average BU = 30 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Locations 1 & 9 (12.33 GWd/t)
234
235

U
U

Average BU = 30 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Locations 2 & 8 (14.04 GWd/t)

7.27E-06

234

7.47E-04

235

236

6.32E-05

236

238

2.19E-02

238

238
239
240
241
242
241
243

Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu

Am
Am

237
95

Np

Mo

99
101
103
109

Ru

Rh

Ag

133
147
149
150
151
152

Tc

Cs

Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm

143
145

Nd
Nd

153
155

Eu

Gd

16

2.79E-07

238

9.32E-05

239

1.29E-05

240

5.14E-06

241

4.29E-07

242

1.46E-06

241

2.91E-08

243

234

6.78E-06

7.11E-04

235

6.33E-04

6.97E-05

236

8.35E-05

2.18E-02

238

2.18E-02

3.85E-07

238

Pu

7.18E-07

1.01E-04

239

Pu

1.16E-04

1.53E-05

240

Pu

2.12E-05

6.59E-06

241

Pu

1.02E-05

6.43E-07

242

Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu

Am

3.11E-06
1.87E-05

95

Np

Mo

1.79E-05

99

1.57E-05

101

1.02E-05

103

7.91E-07

109

1.97E-05

133

Tc

Ru

Rh

Ag

4.22E-06

147

1.74E-07

149

3.73E-06

150

4.62E-07

151

1.69E-06

152

1.61E-05

143

1.12E-05

145

9.01E-07

153

5.43E-08

155

4.62E-02

7.12E-06

Am

237

Cs

Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm
Nd
Nd
Eu

Gd

16

Average BU = 30 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Locations 3 & 7 (18.01 GWd/t)

Pu

1.36E-06

1.89E-06

241

Am

2.98E-06

4.86E-08

243

Am

1.29E-07

3.73E-06

237

2.12E-05

95

5.29E-06

Mo

2.67E-05

2.03E-05

99

1.79E-05

101

1.16E-05

103

9.71E-07

109

2.22E-05

133

Tc

2.57E-05

Ru

2.30E-05

Rh

1.46E-05

Ag

1.43E-06

Cs

2.81E-05

4.68E-06

147

Sm

5.67E-06

1.80E-07

149

Sm

1.89E-07

4.33E-06

150

Sm

5.78E-06

4.86E-07

151

Sm

5.36E-07

1.95E-06

152

Sm

2.52E-06

1.80E-05

143

Nd

2.23E-05

1.26E-05

145

Nd

1.58E-05

1.08E-06

153

6.38E-08

155

4.62E-02

62

Np

Eu

1.55E-06

Gd

9.02E-08

16

4.62E-02

Axially distributed burn-ups (Case B)

Average BU = 30 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Locations 4 & 6 (24.01 GWd/t)
234
235

U
U

Average BU = 30 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Location 5 (32.86 GWd/t)

6.29E-06

234

5.62E-06

5.26E-04

235

3.93E-04

1.22E-04

2.15E-02

1.49E-06

238

Pu

3.26E-06

1.32E-04

239

Pu

1.45E-04

2.99E-05

240

Pu

4.22E-05

1.59E-05

241

Pu

2.37E-05

3.03E-06

242

236

1.02E-04

236

238

2.17E-02

238

238
239
240
241
242
241
243

Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu

Am
Am

237
95

Np

Mo

99
101
103
109

Ru

Rh

Ag

133
147
149
150
151
152

Tc

Cs

Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm

143
145

Nd
Nd

153
155

Eu

Gd

16

Pu

6.73E-06

4.76E-06

241

Am

7.27E-06

3.97E-07

243

Am

1.25E-06

7.90E-06

237

3.48E-05

95

Np

1.20E-05

Mo

4.59E-05

3.34E-05

99

3.05E-05

101

1.90E-05

103

2.22E-06

109

3.65E-05

133

Tc

4.42E-05

Ru

4.16E-05

Rh

2.48E-05

Ag

3.52E-06

Cs

4.81E-05

6.93E-06

147

Sm

8.35E-06

1.96E-07

149

Sm

2.00E-07

8.04E-06

150

Sm

1.13E-05

6.01E-07

151

Sm

6.81E-07

3.35E-06

152

Sm

4.46E-06

2.81E-05

143

Nd

3.52E-05

2.05E-05

145

Nd

2.68E-05

2.33E-06

153

1.44E-07

155

4.62E-02

63

Eu

3.58E-06

Gd

2.53E-07

16

4.62E-02

Axially distributed burn-up cases (Case D)

Average BU = 50 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Locations 1 & 9 (21.56 GWd/t)
234
235

U
U

Average BU = 50 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Locations 2 & 8 (24.02 GWd/t)

6.49E-06

234

5.68E-04

235

236

9.46E-05

236

238

2.17E-02

238

238
239
240
241
242
241
243

Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu

Am
Am

237
95

Np

Mo

99
101
103
109

Ru

Rh

Ag

133
147
149
150
151
152

Tc

Cs

Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm

143
145

Nd
Nd

153
155

Eu

Gd

16

1.13E-06

238

1.26E-04

239

2.64E-05

240

1.36E-05

241

2.26E-06

242

4.03E-06

241

2.62E-07

243

234

5.79E-06

5.26E-04

235

4.25E-04

1.02E-04

236

1.18E-04

2.17E-02

238

2.16E-02

1.49E-06

238

Pu

2.73E-06

1.32E-04

239

Pu

1.42E-04

3.00E-05

240

Pu

3.91E-05

1.60E-05

241

Pu

2.19E-05

3.03E-06

242

Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu

Am

6.81E-06
3.15E-05

95

Np

Mo

3.03E-05

99

2.75E-05

101

1.73E-05

103

1.89E-06

109

3.31E-05

133

Tc

Ru

Rh

Ag

6.45E-06

147

1.94E-07

149

7.12E-06

150

5.75E-07

151

3.02E-06

152

2.58E-05

143

1.86E-05

145

2.00E-06

153

1.20E-07

155

4.62E-02

6.29E-06

Am

237

Cs

Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm
Nd
Nd
Eu

Gd

16

Average BU = 50 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Locations 3 & 7 (30.58 GWd/t)

Pu

5.65E-06

4.76E-06

241

Am

6.66E-06

3.98E-07

243

Am

9.74E-07

7.90E-06

237

3.48E-05

95

1.09E-05

Mo

4.31E-05

3.35E-05

99

3.05E-05

101

1.90E-05

103

2.22E-06

109

3.65E-05

133

Tc

4.15E-05

Ru

3.88E-05

Rh

2.34E-05

Ag

3.18E-06

Cs

4.53E-05

6.93E-06

147

Sm

8.03E-06

1.96E-07

149

Sm

1.99E-07

8.05E-06

150

Sm

1.05E-05

6.01E-07

151

Sm

6.62E-07

3.35E-06

152

Sm

4.18E-06

2.81E-05

143

Nd

3.35E-05

2.05E-05

145

Nd

2.53E-05

2.33E-06

153

1.44E-07

155

4.62E-02

64

Np

Eu

3.25E-06

Gd

2.22E-07

16

4.62E-02

Axially distributed burn-up cases (Case D)

Average BU = 50 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Locations 4 & 6 (40.42 GWd/t)
234
235

U
U

Average BU = 50 GWd/t
5 years cooling time
Location 5 (54.60 GWd/t)

5.12E-06

234

4.33E-06

3.00E-04

235

1.71E-04

1.49E-04

2.11E-02

5.37E-06

238

Pu

1.05E-05

1.51E-04

239

Pu

1.53E-04

5.15E-05

240

Pu

6.55E-05

2.92E-05

241

Pu

3.60E-05

1.09E-05

242

236

1.35E-04

236

238

2.14E-02

238

238
239
240
241
242
241
243

Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu
Pu

Am
Am

237
95

Np

Mo

99
101
103
109

Ru

Rh

Ag

133
147
149
150
151
152

Tc

Cs

Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm
Sm

143
145

Nd
Nd

153
155

Eu

Gd

16

Pu

2.03E-05

9.09E-06

241

Am

1.14E-05

2.51E-06

243

Am

6.16E-06

1.56E-05

237

5.48E-05

95

Np

2.18E-05

Mo

6.99E-05

5.27E-05

99

5.09E-05

101

2.91E-05

103

4.71E-06

109

5.73E-05

133

Tc

6.70E-05

Ru

6.79E-05

Rh

3.54E-05

Ag

6.98E-06

Cs

7.23E-05

9.21E-06

147

Sm

1.01E-05

2.00E-07

149

Sm

1.93E-07

1.40E-05

150

Sm

1.86E-05

7.38E-07

151

Sm

8.18E-07

5.33E-06

152

Sm

6.76E-06

4.00E-05

143

Nd

4.60E-05

3.18E-05

145

Nd

3.99E-05

4.67E-06

153

3.69E-07

155

4.62E-02

65

Eu

6.59E-06

Gd

6.09E-07

16

4.62E-02

APPENDIX 4
Additional accident configurations

E. Mennerdahl Systems
Starvgen 12
S-183 51 TBY

EMS/FO/95-07

BURN-UP CREDIT BENCHMARK PROBLEMS:

FLAT OR REALISTIC AXIAL PROFILES?
Dennis Mennerdahl
October 13, 1995

Phase IIB cases

PWR

PWR

PWR

PWR

Cases X1 and X2

PWR

PWR

PWR

PWR

PWR

PWR

Contribution to Phase II-B of a study by the

OECD/NEA Working Group on Burn-up Credit in Criticality Safety
Sponsored by the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate

Tel: (+46) 8 -756 58 12 Fax: (+46) 8 -756 58 72 Internet: [email protected]

71

BURN-UP CREDIT BENCHMARK PROBLEMS:

FLAT OR REALISTIC AXIAL PROFILES?

1.

Introduction

This paper contains specifications for two benchmark problems, in addition to the nine benchmark
problems selected for Phase II-B by the OECD/NEA Working Group on Burn-up Credit. Comments to
the additional proposals are also given.
2.

Benchmark problem specifications

The isotopics and geometry of Problems A and B of Phase II-B are used. The only change is that
the boron steel of the top 20 cm of fuel and above is replaced with water (see figure). This is a slight
modification to the previous (incomplete) proposal.

Requested information: Keff and standard deviation (for Monte Carlo methods).

Optional: Neutron source distribution, normalised fission densities, results without fission
products.

Phase IIB cases Cases X1 and X2

20 cm from top of fuel region.

Boron steel (red) replaced with water.
PWR PWR PWR PWR PWR

PWR PWR PWR PWR PWR

72

3.

Problem X1. Flat burn-up profile as in Problem A of Phase II-B. Burn-up 30 GWd/tU and
cooling time five years. Includes fission products.

Problem X2. A more realistic axial burn-up profile as in Problem B of Phase II-B. Burn-up
30 GWd/tU and cooling time five years. Includes fission products.

Preliminary results
Problem
X1
X2
k

4.

Keff
0.9274
1.0040
0.0766

0.0012
0.0012
0.0017

Problem
A
B
k

Keff
0.8900
0.8900
0.0000

0.0020
0.0008
0.0022

Problem discussion

Criticality safety is often summarised as a requirement for the neutron multiplication factor to be
less than 1.00 with some margin.
Neutron multiplication factor =

production factor
absorption term + leakage term

The production factor takes into account neutron physics properties of the fissile material. This
material includes actinides and fission products. The absorption term as used here includes effects
of the materials between the fuel rods and assemblies but not absorbing materials between the major
reflector materials and the fuel assemblies. The leakage term is defined as the combined effects
of leakage from the outside reflector material, of absorption in the materials surrounding the fuel array
and of changes in the energy spectrum, geometry and direction of returning neutrons.
The purpose of Phase II, as I understand it, is to study the influence of axial variations and
to discuss possible approximations, in particular assuming a flat axial burn-up profile. A flat burn-up
profile based on fresh fuel is one extreme. A flat burn-up profile based on an average burn-up for the
whole assembly is the other extreme. A correct solution must take the real axial burn-up profile into
account.
Phase II-A includes two parameters that vary axially, total burn-up and cooling time. Both are
related to the production factor in the ratio defined above. Unfortunately, Phase II-B does not add any
parameters.
The two additional benchmark problems that have been proposed earlier and are specified here, add
axial variations to both the absorption term and to the leakage term. The boron steel acts both as an
internal absorber of neutrons travelling between fuel assemblies and as a reflector absorber to
reduce the number of neutrons that are reflected.
The benchmark problems defined here may not be directly related to a realistic incident for the
transport cask selected for Phase II-B. For spent fuel pools, similar effects have been identified and
analysed, with credit taken for burn-up. In the USA, up to 10 cm gaps have been observed
in absorber materials. In Sweden, 60 cm overlaps (no water separation as opposed to the normal
10 cm separation) between stored fuel and fuel being handled were considered possible events for PWR
and BWR spent fuel.
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There are other ways to let the leakage term vary axially. One way would be to let a good reflector
material closely surround the fuel region at the top, while the central region is surrounded
by a poor reflector. Using a cask design where leakage is more important is another option. However,
the purpose of this paper is not to maximise the theoretical impact of axial variations, but to define
some useful benchmark specifications and to encourage further studies.
5.

Background

The benchmark problems selected in the Phases II-A and II-B are typical for simple design
calculations. However, they are not representative of some of the more complicated situations that are
identified and analysed in safety assessments and in incidents that were not analysed at all.
An explanation could be that the majority of the Working Group either has specific interests (nothing
wrong with that it is often such interests that lead to major contributions to safety) that are covered by
the existing benchmark problems or has little interest in burn-up credit.
For those of us who are interested in and feel responsible for criticality safety in general, there are
reasons for concern. A flat axial burn-up profile is a very crude approximation and before
we support its use, we should understand its limitations. It is also important to have adequate methods
and training to handle the situations when the approximation is not adequate.
The Working Group is involved in testing and comparing calculation methods. Are these capable of
solving problems related to burn-up credit correctly? So far, we dont know. The Phase II-A and II-B
results have caused some of us to believe that the flat profile approximation is acceptable for burn-ups
less than 50 GWd/tU and cooling times shorter than five years. Even for that high burn-up and cooling
time, the effect on keff only seems to be 3-4%. Generalised conclusions like these are dangerous. At least
one paper at the ICNC'95 conference referred to such preliminary results of the Working Group.
6.

Motivation for a deeper understanding

In Sweden, there are currently no immediate requests for burn-up credit. Several years ago,
the issue was seriously studied in connection with the design of compact storage modules for PWR and
BWR spent fuel at the large central facility in Sweden (CLAB). A result of the study was that burn-up
credit was possible, but that the combined effect of administrative and technical controls, uncertainties
and probable delays was not worth the effort. Large amounts of boron steel were used instead.
Spent fuel is shipped in Sweden, usually using package designs from other states. The authorities
should be prepared for dealing with requests for burn-up credit if this is practised in other parts of the
world.
However, the most important reason for evaluating burn-up credit is probably the need to be able
to estimate the real safety margin. This can be very important in case of an incident.
One scenario is that the experts, based on the flat profile approximation, conclude that criticality
cannot occur. Then, during recovery operations, there is a criticality accident.
Another scenario is that the experts, knowing that burn-up credit can be complicated but not being
prepared for it, make a conservative (pessimistic) assumption and recommend the surrounding
population to be evacuated. Such an operation could lead to very severe consequences in many ways.
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Fast and proper evaluation of incidents may save lives, property and other resources, reduce stress
(panic) in the population and increase the trust in the nuclear industry and authorities. Conservative
assumptions (fresh fuel) in the case of an incident could lead to much more severe consequences than
even a criticality accident.
7.

Conclusions related to general criticality safety

In Phases II-A and II-B, we have shown that scenarios exist where the flat axial burn-up profile
approximation appear acceptable for burn-ups not exceeding 30 GWd/tU and cooling times not
exceeding five years. However, we have also recognised that with realistic axial burn-up profiles,
the calculation problem is more complicated.
For burn-ups of about 50 GWd/tU and cooling times of up to five years, the flat axial burn-up
profile approximation is non-conservative with a keff of about 0.03. In Monte Carlo methods, the
number of neutrons that normally give converging statistics is no longer sufficient. The trend (bias)
may be missed if the user is not aware of the problem. With deterministic methods, other complications
have been noticed.
Phases II-A and II-B only deal with axial effects due to varying fissile material (neutron production
factor). Axial effects due to variations in absorption and leakage are not included. Realistic applications
and design basis incidents in transport, handling and storage of spent fuel often involve combinations of
the three mentioned variations. Without studying such combinations, we will not know if our calculation
methods are adequate.
To give some indication of the potential for a much higher keff than 0.03 even for the case
of 30 GWd/tU, the additional problems X1 and X2 have been specified. These problems are not
optimised, but chosen so that they are similar to the Phase II-B problems. The preliminary keff
of 0.08 indicates that also for lower burn-ups than 30 GWd/tU, the flat axial burn-up profile
approximation may not be adequate. The approximation has to be evaluated for each application
and scenario.

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