Nuclear data sensitivity, uncertainty and target accuracy assessment for future nuclear systems

A sensitivity and uncertainty study has been performed to evaluate the impact of neutron cross-section uncertainty on the most significant integral parameters related to the core and fuel cycle. This work is a contribution to the feasibility assessment of innovative reactor and fuel cycle systems, proposed within the Generation IV initiative. Results of an extensive analysis indicate the most relevant parameters and show any potential significant problems arising from the quality of existing nuclear data, in the assessment of the systems considered. In order to perform these studies, uncertainty covariance data have been produced, mostly based on selected, high accuracy integral experiments. A target accuracy assessment has been also performed in order to evaluate nuclear data improvement requirements. The results of the assessment allows to give guidelines in order to define the most appropriate and effective strategy for data uncertainty reduction.