Cross-sections for hydrogen production from vanadium in a fusion neutron environment

AbstractThe experimental and evaluated information available from the literature on neutron cross-sections for hydrogen production from vanadium in a fusion neutron environment has been reviewed. Discrepancies in these results were identified and likely explanations for their existence are suggested. Nuclear-model calculations were performed using the statistical pre-compound code GNASH. The results from this analysis are compared with existing information. Revised cross-section values for use in contemporary calculations of hydrogen gas production in fusion reactors are recommended. The impact of these revisions on other neutron cross-sections of vanadium that affect neutronic calculations for fusion reactors is also discussed. Finally, integral calculations of hydrogen production were performed for a typical fusion reactor using the present recommended cross-section values. It was found that this alternative cross-section set leads to a calculated value of hydrogen production at the fusion reactor first wall which is a factor of 3.25 smaller than obtained from similar calculations that employ evaluated cross-sections from the ENDF/B-6.4 Library exclusively.