Journal of Sensor Science and Technology (센서학회지)

The Korean Sensors Society (한국센서학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Calculation of Initial Sensitivity for Vanadium Self-Powered Neutron Detector (SPND) using Monte Carlo Method

Monte Carlo 방법을 이용한 바나듐 자발 중성자계측기 초기 민감도 계산

  • CHA, Kyoon Ho (KHNP Central Research Institute) ;
  • PARK, Young Woo (Department of Mechatronics Engineering, IMAL, Chung Nam National University)
  • 차균호 (한수원 중앙연구원) ;
  • 박영우 (충남대학교 메카트로닉스공학과)
  • Received : 2016.05.26
  • Accepted : 2016.05.31
  • Published : 2016.05.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Self-powered neutron detector (SPND) is being widely used to monitor the reactor core of the nuclear power plants. The SPND contains a neutron-sensitive metallic emitter surrounded by a ceramic insulator. Currently, the vanadium (V) SPND has been being developed to be used in OPR1000 nuclear power plants. Some Monte Carlo simulations were accomplished to calculate the initial sensitivity of vanadium emitter material and alumina insulator with a cylindrical geometry. An MCNP code was used to simulate some factors (neutron self-shielding factor and beta escape probability from the emitter) and space charge effect of an insulator necessary to calculate the sensitivity of vanadium detector. The simulation results were compared with some theoretical and experimental values. The method presented here can be used to analyze the optimum design of the vanadium SPND and contribute to the development of TMI (Top-mount In-core Instrumentation) which might be used in the SMART and SMR.

Keywords

References

  1. John W. Hilborn, "Self-Powered Neutron Detectors for Reactor Flux Monitoring", Nucleonics, Vol. 22, No. 2 - February, 1964.
  2. H. D. Warren, "Calculational model for self-powered neutron detector," Nucl. Sci. Eng., Vol. 48, p. 331, 1972. https://doi.org/10.13182/NSE72-A22491
  3. W. Jaschik and W. Seifritz, "Model for calculating prompt-response self-powered neutron detectors," Nucl. Sci. Eng., Vol. 53, p. 61, 1974. https://doi.org/10.13182/NSE74-A23330
  4. H. D. Warren and N. H. Shah, "Neutron and gamma-ray effects on self-powered in-core radiation detectors," Nucl. Sci. Eng., Vol. 54, p. 395, 1974. https://doi.org/10.13182/NSE74-A23434
  5. L. L. Carter, "Self-Shielding factors for FFTF flux measurements," Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc., Vol. 43, p. 710, 1982.
  6. International Standards, "Nuclear power plants - In-core instrumentation - Characteristics and test methods of self-powered neutron detectors," CEI/IEC 61468, 1st edition, 2000-03.
  7. A. M. Weinberg and E. P. Wigner, "The Physical Theory of Neutron Chain Reactors", p707, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1958.

Cited by

  1. Depletion Sensitivity Evaluation of Rhodium and Vanadium Self-Powered Neutron Detector (SPND) using Monte Carlo Method vol.25, pp.4, 2016, https://doi.org/10.5369/JSST.2016.25.4.264