Speaker
Description
Nuclear data processing is the procedure devoted to the conversion of evaluated nuclear data into libraries suitable for specific final applications such as neutron transport or inventory calculations. AMPX is the modular processing code of SCALE Code System that takes basic cross section data in Evaluated Nuclear Data File format to provide both multigroup and continuous energy libraries for their use within SCALE.
In the last years, a new version of the Joint Evaluated Fission and Fusion File (JEFF) data library, namely JEFF-3.3, has been released with relevant updates in the neutron reaction, thermal neutron scattering and covariance sub-libraries. Its application within SCALE system is a valued asset, enabling the use of JEFF state-of-the-art nuclear data libraries with the extensively tested and verified SCALE codes for nuclear analysis. Within the EU H2020 SANDA project, the nuclear data processing route recommended by AMPX is being applied and validated in order to allow such application and contribute to the improvement of new versions of JEFF data file. That routine is used for processing the continuous energy JEFF-3.3 neutron library and also the well-established JEFF-3.1.1 using the latest version of the AMPX processing code in SCALE6.3beta version which includes relevant updates regarding the treatment of the unresolved resonance region of the neutron cross sections.
In this paper, an overview about the processing of JEFF-3.3 and JEFF-3.1.1 nuclear data libraries with AMPX for their application within the SCALE Code System is presented. These libraries are verified and tested using a comprehensive set of criticality benchmarks from ICSBEP, by comparing both with results provided by other processing and neutron transport codes and experimental data. Both libraries are successfully processed and the discrepancies observed during the testing phase are explained establishing the applicability domain of the library. Processing of JEFF-3.3 covariances is also addressed along with their corresponding verification using covariances processed with NJOY for a variety of systems. In conclusion, a detailed analysis is carried out paving the way towards the final goal of releasing an AMPX-formatted continuous energy JEFF-3.3 and JEFF-3.1.1 neutron data libraries through the Nuclear Energy Agency/Computer Program Services (NEA/CPS).