International Handbook of Evaluated Reactor Physics Benchmark Experiments (IRPhE)
Ongoing
IRPhE 2021 Handbook cover: ZPR-9 Machine at Argonne National Laboratory-East

The International Handbook of Evaluated Reactor Physics Benchmark Experiments (IRPhE) contains reactor physics benchmark specifications that have been derived from experiments that were performed at various nuclear facilities around the world. The benchmark specifications are intended for use by reactor designers, safety analysts and nuclear data evaluators to validate calculational techniques and data. The Handbook is a product of the International Reactor Physics Evaluation (IRPhE) Project, conducted by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). While co-ordination and administration of the IRPhE Project is undertaken by the NEA, each participating country is responsible for the administration, technical direction, and priorities of the project within their respective countries. Access to some of the information and data included in this handbook may be restricted; full conditions for access are available below.

The 2021 edition contains data from 169 different experimental series that were performed at 57 different nuclear facilities. Some 165 of the 169 evaluations are published as approved benchmarks. The remaining four evaluations are published as draft documents only. All draft documents were reviewed by the International Reactor Physics Evaluation (IRPhE) Technical Review Group (TRG). Example calculations are presented; however, these calculations do not constitute validation or endorsement of the codes or cross section data. The IRPhE Project is patterned after the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP) and is closely co-ordinated with the ICSBEP. Some benchmark data are applicable to both nuclear criticality safety and reactor physics technology. Some have already been evaluated and published by the ICSBEP, but have been extended to include other types of measurements besides the critical configuration.

Comments (recommendations, additions, deletions and corrections), which may be of use in improving this handbook, should be addressed to:

Mark D. DeHart
Idaho National Laboratory
2525 North Fremont
Idaho Falls, ID  83415-3870
United States of America
E-mail: mark.dehart@inl.gov

Requesting the IRPhE Handbook

The Handbook is published in electronic format (pdf files), where the experiments are grouped into evaluations, categorised by: 1) reactor name; 2) reactor type; 3) facility type; and 4) measurement type.

The IRPhE Handbook, featuring the IRPhE Database and Analysis Tool (IDAT), is distributed on DVD and online. It can be requested by completing the form below.

The Handbook is available to authorised requesters from the OECD member countries and to contributing establishments from non-OECD countries. Other requests are handled on a case by case basis. Read the restrictions and disclaimer, and about providing feedback.

Handbook request form

Even if you have had access to the online version of the Handbook in previous years, the request must be renewed for each new edition.

Request form for access

Accessing the IRPhE Handbook online

If you have already been authorised access to the 2021 edition, you can access it below:

2021 IRPhE Handbook (password protected | reminder).

If you have already been authorised access to the 2020 edition, you can access it below:

2020 IRPhE Handbook (password protected | reminder).

If you have already been authorised access to the 2019 edition, you can access it below:

2019 IRPhE Handbook (password protected | reminder).

If you have already been authorised access to the 2018 edition, you can access it below:

2018 IRPhE Handbook (password protected | reminder).

Contact

cps-irphe@oecd-nea.org

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