1. NAME AND TITLE OF DATA LIBRARY
PUDK-82: Measured Results of Delayed Beta- and Gamma-Ray Spectra Due to Thermal-Neutron Fission of Pu239 and Pu241.
2. NAME AND TITLE OF DATA RETRIEVAL PROGRAMS
No retrieval program is in the package.
3. CONTRIBUTOR
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
4. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION
In the event of a hypothetical loss-of-coolant-accident (LOCA) in a light-water reactor, the fissioning process would cease. A few seconds later, the major source of heat in the fuel rod would be due to the beta and gamma rays from the decay of the accumulated fission products which are produced in the course of the reactor operation.
Energy-release from decay of fission products created by thermal-neutron fission of 235U has been
studied experimentally very thoroughly. A data base is required for all fission products which includes
rates-of-production and energies and branching ratios of the decay products. Compilations of such
data exist; however, especially for short-lived fission products, the data are incomplete or include
substantial components from theoretical estimation.
5. APPLICATION OF THE DATA
Thus far, all of the experimental efforts have been directed at understanding energy-release rates
as a function of time following thermal-neutron fission of 235U. Calculations have been the basis for
using the "conservative" procedure in an accident analysis of assuming that all energy-release rates are
due to 235U fission. This procedure results in overestimates of the fission-product energy-release rates.
Therefore, it is felt that accurate experimental data for energy-release rates following fission will
provide a more reliable and accurate basis for accident analysis as well as further test the validity of
the summation calculations.
6. SOURCE AND SCOPE OF DATA
The purpose of experiments was to measure the total beta and gamma energy-release rate from fission product decay following thermal neutron fission of the fuel element 239Pu. One set of data was obtained for gamma energy-release using a gamma-ray detector; another set for beta decay energy-release using a beta-ray detector. The Oak Ridge Research Reactor (ORR) was used to provide the thermal neutrons.
Small samples of 239Pu were irradiated for short periods of time and were rapidly recovered
following irradiation. Data were obtained by detecting and measuring individual events for several
irradiation times, waiting times following the end of the irradiation, counting times starting at the end
of the waiting time, and particle energies. The resulting energy spectra were integrated over particle
energy to obtain the energy release for each component for every combination of irradiation, waiting,
and counting times.
7. DISCUSSION OF THE DATA RETRIEVAL PROGRAM
Not applicable.
8. DATA FORMAT AND COMPUTER
EBCDIC card images; IBM 360/370.9.
9. TYPICAL RUNNING TIME
Not applicable.
10. REFERENCES
J. K. Dickens, J. F. Emery, T. A. Love, J. W. McConnell, K. J. Northcutt, R. W. Peelle, and H. Weaver, "Fission-Product Energy Release for Times Following Thermal-Neutron Fission of 239Pu Between 2 and 14000 Seconds," ORNL/NUREG-34 (April 1978).
J. K. Dickens, J. F. Emery, T. A. Love, J. W. McConnell, K. J. Northcutt, R. W. Peelle, and
H. Weaver, "Fission-Product Energy Release for Times Following Thermal-Neutron Fission of 241Pu
Between 2 and 14000 Seconds," ORNL/NUREG-47, NUREG/CR-0171 (August 1978).
11. CONTENTS OF LIBRARY
Included are the referenced documents and one (1.2MB) DOS diskette which contains the beta-ray
and gamma-ray spectra, edit programs for gamma and beta spectra, and beta-ray and gamma-ray
spectra output.
12. DATE OF ABSTRACT
March 1985.
KEYWORDS: RADIOACTIVE DECAY SPECTRA