95-Am-241(n,f)

Prof. Massimo SALVATORES at CADARACHE, FR

NEA WPEC Subgroup 26

Design phases of selected reactor and fuel cycle concepts require improved data and methods in order to reduce margins for both economical and safety reasons. A first indicative nuclear data target accuracy assessment was made within WPEC Subgroup 26 (SG-26). The assessment indicated a list of nuclear data priorities for each of the systems considered (ABTR, SFR, EPR, GFR, LFR, ADMAB, VHTR, EPR). These nuclear data priorities should all be addressed to meet target accuracy requirements for the integral parameters characterizing those systems (see the accompanying requests originating from SG-26).

The request for improved cross sections and emission spectra and their accuracies for ²⁴¹Am(n,f) emerges for four of the eight cases studied. The most stringent requirements for this case arises for the ADMAB, while for the SFR and LFR the needs are nearly met.

Requested accuracy is required to meet target accuracy for k_eff for Accelerator-Driven Minor Actinides Burner (ADMAB). Details are provided in the OECD/NEA WPEC Subgroup 26 Final Report: "Uncertainty and Target Accuracy Assessment for Innovative Systems Using Recent Covariance Data Evaluations" (link to WPEC Subgroup 26 Report in PDF format, 6 Mb).

Target accuracies are specified per system and per energy group when they are not met by the BOLNA estimate of the current (initial) uncertainties.

OECD/NEA WPEC Subgroup 26 Final Report: "Uncertainty and Target Accuracy Assessment for Innovative Systems Using Recent Covariance Data Evaluations" (link to WPEC Subgroup 26 Report in PDF format, 6 Mb).

SFR: Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor in a TRU burning configuration, i.e., with a Conversion Ratio CR<1
EFR: European Fast Reactor with full recycling of MA and CR~1
GFR: Gas-cooled Fast Reactor also with full recycling of MA
LFR: Lead-cooled Fast Reactor as defined for an IAEA benchmark
ABTR: Advanced Burner Test Reactor Na-cooled core, recently studied within the GNEP initiative
ADMAB: Accelerator-Driven Minor Actinides Burner
PWR: Pressurized Water Reactor

A collaboration between CENBG, IPN-Orsay and CEA have taken data for the reaction ²⁴³Am(³He,af) that may yield the fission probability of ²⁴²Am. ²⁴²Am is the compound nucleus for the ²⁴¹Am(n,f) reaction. A theoretical estimate of the compound nucleus formation cross section for the latter reaction will than allow to infer the fission cross section. The final accuracy may be sufficient for 2-3 of the four systems.

Work in progress (as of SG-C review of May 2018)
Pending new evaluation or validation (as of SG-C review of June 2019)

Please report any missing information to hprlinfo@oecd-nea.org

Experiments

• G. Kessedjian et al., Neutron-induced fission cross sections of short-lived actinides with the surrogate reaction method, Phys. Lett. B 692 (2010) 297, EXFOR 23076
• F. Belloni, et al., Measurement of the neutron-induced fission cross-section of 241Am at the time-of-flight facility n_TOF, EPJ A 49 (2013) 2, EXFOR 23148
• K. Hirose et al., Simultaneous measurement of neutron-induced fission and capture cross sections for 241Am at neutron energies below fission threshold, NIM A856 (2017) 133, EXFOR 23338
• New measurement performed at n_TOF EAR2

Theory/Evaluation

• P. Talou et al., Improved Evaluations of Neutron-Induced Reactions on Americium Isotopes, NSE 155 (2007) 84

Validation

• G. Palmiotti, et al., Combined Use of Integral Experiments and Covariance Data, Nuclear Data Sheets 118 (2014) 596