Reactor Model: One-Group

Reflected Slab Reactor z

1 ∂

ctor
ctor
r r r
φ ( r , t ) = ν ∑ f ( r )φ ( r , t ) Core

Reflec
Reflec
v ∂t
r r r r r r
− ∑ a ( r )φ ( r , t ) + ∇ • D ( r ) ∇ φ ( r , t ) x
For steady
steady-state,
state homogeneous,
homogeneous 1 1-DD a/2
b a b
C d φ ( x)
2 C
D 2
+ (ν C
∑ C
f − ∑ C
a )φ C
( x) = 0
dx
C ≡ Core
C
R d φ ( x)
2 R
D 2
− ∑ R
a φ R
( x) = 0
dx
R ≡ Reflector
a R a C a a C a
BC φ ( + b) = 0,
R
φ ( ) = φ ( ), J ( )=J ( )
R

2 2 2 2 2
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 1
(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
ν ∑ Cf − ∑ Ca
φ C ( x) = AC cos( BmC x) ( BmC ) 2 =
DC
⎡a ⎤
⎢ +b − x⎥ R
D
φ R = A R sinh ⎢ 2 R ⎥ ( LR ) 2 = R
⎢ L ⎥ ∑a
⎣ ⎦
BC T
⎡b⎤
C
B a
AC cos( m ) = A R sinh ⎢ R ⎥
⎡b⎤
C R
2 ⎣L ⎦ B a D
X D C C
Bm tan( m
) = coth ⎢ R⎥
⎣ ⎦
R
BmC a DR R ⎡ ⎤
b 2 L L
C C
D B A sin(
m
C
) = R A cosh ⎢ R ⎥
2 L ⎣L ⎦ Criticality condition.

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 2

(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
⎡b⎤
C R
B a D
Criticality condition. D C BmC tan( m ) = R coth ⎢ R ⎥
2 L ⎣L ⎦

• For bare slab CC

was π / 2. 2
• Smaller core for
reflected reactor
(even with a0 > a).
• Save fuel.

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 3

(Saed Dababneh).
 Criticality “Calculation”
• Can
C we solve l ““real”
l” reactor
t problems
bl analytically?
l ti ll ?
• The previous discussion provides understanding of the concepts
but also indicates the need for computational
p techniques.
q
1 ∂ r r r r r r r r r
φ ( r , t ) = ν ∑ f ( r )φ ( r , t ) − ∑ a ( r )φ ( r , t ) + ∇ • D ( r ) ∇ φ ( r , t )
v ∂t
r λt r
• Assume: φ (r , t ) = e ψ (r )
T
λ r r r r r r r r r
ψ ( r ) = ν ∑ f ( r )ψ ( r ) − ∑ a ( r )ψ ( r ) + ∇ • D ( r ) ∇ ψ ( r )
v
• Adjust parameters so that λ = 0 (Steady-state).
• What parameters and how to adjust them?

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 4

(Saed Dababneh).
 Criticality “Calculation”
λ r r r r r r r r r
ψ ( r ) = ν ∑ f ( r )ψ ( r ) − ∑ a ( r )ψ ( r ) + ∇ • D ( r ) ∇ ψ ( r )
v
• Fixed design and geometry X one free variable is k
r r r r r r ν r r
− ∇ • D ( r ) ∇ ψ ( r ) + ∑ a ( r )ψ ( r ) = ∑ f ( r )ψ ( r )
k fudge
1
Mψ = Fψ M , F are operators
K fudge
• As we did earlier (be guided by HW 20):
ν ∑fψ ν ∑ f ∑a
k ffudge = r r =
− ∇ • D∇ψ + ∑ a ψ 1+ B L
g 2 2

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 5

(Saed Dababneh).
 Criticality “Calculation”
ν ∑ f ∑a 1
k fudge = Mψ = Fψ
1+ B L 2 2 K fudge
• Build an algorithm.
Guess (reasonably) initial kfudge and ψ (or φ) for the
• “Guess”
zeroth iteration.
• Calculate the initial source term.
• Iterate: Guess φ 0 and k 0 .
1 S0
Mφ = 0 Fφ = 0 ⇒ get φ 1
1 0

k k
S 1 = Fφ 1
0 1
k S
k1 = 0 and so on ..... until flux converges.
converges
S
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 6
(Saed Dababneh).
 Criticality “Calculation”
• Or:
O
fission sources Fφ
k= =
sinks Mφ

∫ dV
φ ∫ dV
i +1 i +1
F S
i +1
k = volume
= volume

∫ Mφ dV
i +1 1
∫ dV
i
i
S
volume k volume

• If for example k > 1,

1 take action to reduce source or
increase absorption.
• How?
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 7
(Saed Dababneh).
 How to Adjust Criticality
R
Reactor
t Ki
Kinetics
ti
Reactor kinetics refers to the manipulation of parameters that affect k and to
the subsequent direct response of the reactor system. Examples are:

• Absorber rods or shim movements to compensate for fuel burnup.

• Safety scram rods to rapidly shutdown the chain reaction.
• Control rods to provide real-time
real time control to keep k = 1 or to maneuver up
and down in power.
• …..

Reactor Dynamics
Reactor dynamics refers to the more indirect feedback mechanisms due to
power level effects and other overall system effects such as:

• Temperature feedback.
• Void feedback.
• Pump
P mp speed control (affects water
ater densit
density and temperat
temperature).
re)
•…
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 8
(Saed Dababneh).
 How to Adjust Criticality

Before all:

Core Design
The transient response of the reactor to the above direct and indirect
changes
h iin b
basic
i parameters
t iis hi
highly
hl ddependent
d t on th
the ddesign
i d details
t il off
the reactor. Sample issues are:

• Where should the control rods be placed for maximum effectiveness?

• Will the power go up or down if a void is introduced into the reactor?
• Will the power go up or down if core temperature goes up?
• How often should the reactor be refueled?
• and so on...

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 9

(Saed Dababneh).