Method and approaches to provide feedback from nuclear and covariance data adjustment for improvement of nuclear data files: Major findings of the NEA WPEC Subgroup 39

Abstract

Nuclear data adjustments using integral experiments play since several decades a crucial role in providing reactor designers and fuel cycle analysts with nuclear data with reduced and validated uncertainties in order to allow design optimization while meeting safety and economics requirements. Adjustment methods, choice of integral experiments and covariance data assessment should be carefully defined in order to produce credible and physically acceptable adjustments, applicable to a wide range of systems. The OECD-NEA has established a series of Expert Groups since 2005 to investigate the key scientific issues and to provide recommendations for applications. The present paper discusses the major results of the most recent of these Expert Groups together with an indication of the path forward .