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http://dx.doi.org/10.5369/JSST.2016.25.4.264

Depletion Sensitivity Evaluation of Rhodium and Vanadium Self-Powered Neutron Detector (SPND) using Monte Carlo Method  

CHA, Kyoon Ho (KHNP Central Research Institute)
PARK, Young Woo (Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Chungnam National University)
Publication Information
Journal of Sensor Science and Technology / v.25, no.4, 2016 , pp. 264-270 More about this Journal
Abstract
Self-powered neutron detector (SPND) is a sensor to monitor a neutron flux proportional to a reactor power of the nuclear power plants. Since an SPND is usually installed in the reactor core and does not require additional outside power, it generates electrons itself from interaction between neutrons and a neutron-sensitive material called an emitter, such as rhodium and vanadium. This paper presents the simulations of the depletion sensitivity evaluations based on MCNP models of rhodium and vanadium SPNDs and light water reactor fuel assembly. The evaluations include the detail geometries of the detectors and fuel assembly, and the modeling of rhodium and vanadium emitter depletion using MCNP and ORIGEN-S codes, and the realistic energy spectrum of beta rays using BETA-S code. The results of the simulations show that the lifetime of an SPND can be prolonged by using vanadium SPND than rhodium SPND. Also, the methods presented here can be used to analyze a life-time of those SPNDs using various emitter materials.
Keywords
SPND; depletion neutron sensitivity; self-shielding effect; beta escape probability; space charge effect; MCNP;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
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