International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP)

Purpose

The purpose of the International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) is to provide an extensively peer-reviewed set of reactor physics-related integral data that can be used by reactor designers and safety analysts to validate the analytical tools used to design next-generation reactors and establish the safety basis for operation of these reactors. This work of the IRPhEP is formally documented in the "International Handbook of Evaluated Reactor Physics Benchmark Experiments," a single source of verified and extensively peer-reviewed reactor physics benchmark measurements data.

The evaluation process entails the following steps:

1. Identify a comprehensive set of reactor physics experimental measurements data,
2. Evaluate the data and quantify overall uncertainties through various types of sensitivity analysis to the extent possible, verify the data by reviewing original and subsequently revised documentation, and by talking with the experimenters or individuals who are familiar with the experimental facility,
3. Compile the data into a standardized format,
4. Perform calculations of each experiment with standard reactor physics codes where it would add information,
5. Formally document the work into a single source of verified and peer reviewed reactor physics benchmark measurements data.

Benefits

• Preservation of valuable reactor data and technology
• Support of advanced generation reactors
• Access to international data
• Significant cost savings (It is well documented how utilization of integral experiments in final design analyses greatly reduces calculational uncertainties thereby reducing design margins and producing significant cost savings. If one new research reactor can be designed and built using only IRPhEP data without the construction of a separate critical facility, the entire cost of the project will be offset.)