Set of benchmark experiments on slit shielding compositions of thermonuclear reactors

Abstract The paper is based on the results of the ISTC project #180 that has recently been completed. The aim of the project was the development of methodical, hardware and design basis to carry out computational and experimental research on non-uniform shieldings of thermonuclear reactors. As a result a set of benchmark experiments were created. On their basis verification of the domestic and foreign computational codes with the nuclear data estimated was realized. For these purposes the iron hollow slits shielding compositions irradiated with 14.8 MeV energy neutrons were studied. The experimental installations allowed research of the shielding compositions with the following characteristics: a solid structure, a structure with one slit of a central symmetry, and the structures with asymmetric slits and with two slits. The thickness of shielding compositions in this research was 500 mm. The results of experiments were compared to the results of calculations by means of the MCNP-4a and PRIZMA computing codes with use of the FENDL-1.1, FENDL-2, JENDL-3.2 and BAS-78 libraries of nuclear data. The results of comparison made it possible to obtain the recommendations for use of these nuclear data.