• Advances in Energy Research
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.125-131
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• 2015

Prompt neutron lifetime calculations have been performed for the NIRR-1 reactor HEU and LEU cores using the 1/v insertion and the Adjoint flux weighing methods. Results of calculations obtained for the HEU and LEU cores are respectively $57.3{\pm}0.8$ and $47.5{\pm}0.7$ for the 1/v insertion and $56.9{\pm}0.3$ and $46.3{\pm}0.5$ for the Adjoint flux. There is a good agreement seen between the two methods for both cores. The prompt neutron lifetime was observed to be shorter in the LEU than for the HEU as expected. However, the Adjoint flux weighing method seemed to be the easiest method in calculating the prompt neutron lifetime for NIRR-1.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권7호
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• pp.2133-2150
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• 2021

In this work, Esfahan light water subcritical reactor (ELWSCR) is analysed using experimental and theoretical diagnostic methods. Important neutronic parameters of the system such as prompt neutron lifetime, delayed neutron fraction, prompt neutron decay constant, negative reactivity of the core, fuel and moderator temperature coefficient of reactivity, and overall and local void coefficient of reactivity are estimated. Also, neutron flux distribution, reflector saving, water level effect, and lattice pitch of the core including operating point of the facility are studied in details. Theoretical results are calculated by MCNPX and measurements are performed utilizing zero power reactor noise method. Detailed descriptions of the results are explained in the text.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.1165-1203
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• 2024

In the paper we validate theoretical models of the pulse against experimental data from the Jozef Stefan Institute TRIGA Mark II research reactor. Data from all pulse experiments since 1991 have been collected, analysed and are publicly available. This paper summarizes the validation study, which is focused on the comparison between experimental values, theoretical predictions (Fuchs-Hansen and Nordheim-Fuchs models) and calculation using computational program Improved Pulse Model. The results show that the theoretical models predicts higher maximum power but lower total released energy, full width at half maximum and the time when the maximum power is reached is shorter, compared to Improved Pulse Model. We evaluate the uncertainties in pulse physical parameters (maximum power, total released energy and full width at half maximum) due to uncertainties in reactor physical parameters (inserted reactivity, delayed neutron fraction, prompt neutron lifetime and effective temperature reactivity coefficient of fuel). It is found that taking into account overestimated correlation of reactor physical parameters does not significantly affect the estimated uncertainties of pulse physical parameters. The relative uncertainties of pulse physical parameters decrease with increasing inserted reactivity. If all reactor physical parameters feature an uncorrelated uncertainty of 10 % the estimated total uncertainty in peak pulse power at 3 $ inserted reactivity is 59 %, where significant contributions come from uncertainties in prompt neutron lifetime and effective temperature reactivity coefficient of fuel. In addition we analyse contribution of two physical mechanisms (Doppler broadening of resonances and neutron spectrum shift) that contribute to the temperature reactivity coefficient of fuel. The Doppler effect contributes around 30 %-15 % while the rest is due to the thermal spectrum hardening for a temperature range between 300 K and 800 K.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.700-709
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• 2017

This work looks at the effect of changes in kinetic parameters on simultaneous reactivity insertions and beam tube flooding in a typical material testing reactor-type research reactor with low enriched high density ($U_3Si_2-Al$) fuel. Using a modified PARET code, various ramp reactivity insertions (from $0.1/0.5 s to $1.3/0.5 s) plus beam tube flooding ($0.5/0.25 s) accidents under uncontrolled conditions were analyzed to find their effects on peak power, net reactivity, and temperature. Then, the effects of changes in kinetic parameters including the Doppler coefficient, prompt neutron lifetime, and delayed neutron fractions on simultaneous reactivity insertion and beam tube flooding accidents were analyzed. Results show that the power peak values are significantly sensitive to the Doppler coefficient of the system in coupled accidents. The material testing reactor-type system under such a coupled accident is not very sensitive to changes in the prompt neutron life time; the core under such a coupled transient is not very sensitive to changes in the effective delayed neutron fraction.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제51권8호
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• pp.1964-1969
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• 2019

The safety and efficiency of nuclear reactors largely depend on the monitoring and control of nuclear radiation. Due to the unique nuclear-physical characteristics, Hf is one of the most promising materials for the manufacturing of the control rods and the emitters of neutron detectors. It is proposed to use the Compton neutron detector with the emitter made of Hf in the In-core Instrumentation System (ICIS) for monitoring the neutron field. The main advantages of such a detector in comparison the conventional β-emission sensors are the possibility of reaching of a higher cumulative radiation dose and the absence of signal delays. The response time of the detection is extremely important when a nuclear reactor is operating near its critical operational parameters. Taking Hf as an example, the general principles for calculating the chains of materials transformation under neutron irradiation are reported. The influence of ^179m1Hf on the Hf composition changing dynamics and the process of transmutants' (Ta, W) generation were determined. The effect of these processes on the absorbing properties of Hf, which inevitably predetermine the lifetime of the detector and its ability to generate a signal, is estimated.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.573-580
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• 2013

The combined effects of reactivity coefficients, along with other core nuclear characteristics, determine reactor core behavior in normal operation and accident conditions. The Power Coefficient of Reactivity (PCR) is an aggregate indicator representing the change in reactor core reactivity per unit change in reactor power. It is an integral quantity which captures the contributions of the fuel temperature, coolant void, and coolant temperature reactivity feedbacks. All nuclear reactor designs provide a balance between their inherent nuclear characteristics and the engineered reactivity control features, to ensure that changes in reactivity under all operating conditions are maintained within a safe range. The $CANDU^{(R)}$ reactor design takes advantage of its inherent nuclear characteristics, namely a small magnitude of reactivity coefficients, minimal excess reactivity, and very long prompt neutron lifetime, to mitigate the demand on the engineered systems for controlling reactivity and responding to accidents. In particular, CANDU reactors have always taken advantage of the small value of the PCR associated with their design characteristics, such that the overall design and safety characteristics of the reactor are not sensitive to the value of the PCR. For other reactor design concepts a PCR which is both large and negative is an important aspect in the design of their engineered systems for controlling reactivity. It will be demonstrated that during Loss of Regulation Control (LORC) and Large Break Loss of Coolant Accident (LBLOCA) events, the impact of variations in power coefficient, including a hypothesized larger than estimated PCR, has no safety-significance for CANDU reactor design. Since the CANDU 6 PCR is small, variations in the range of values for PCR on the performance or safety of the reactor are not significant.