Nuclear Reactor Physics

Topic 5: Criticality Condition of Homogeneous Reactor

Wei WANG
wwang326@cityu.edu.hk

1
Assumption in Topics 3&4
o 𝒮0 ≠ 0 for neutron source intensity; 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
=𝟎
o 𝒮 𝒓 = 0 for the spatial locations. 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧

transport (slowing down & diffusion)

generation 𝓢 𝒓 = 𝟎
𝒓1 , 𝐸1 , 𝜴1

Fast neutron
absorbed source
𝒓2 , 𝐸2 , 𝜴2 𝓢𝟎 ≠ 𝟎

thermal intermediate fast

Neutron energy E

2
More Realistic in this Topic
o No external source 𝒮0 = 0; 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
≠𝟎
o 𝓢 𝒓 ≠ 𝟎 for the spatial locations. 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧

transport (slowing down & diffusion) 𝓢𝟎 = 𝟎

𝓢 𝒓1 ≠ 𝟎
𝒓1 , 𝐸1 , 𝜴1

Generation
absorbed in the
medium
𝒓2 , 𝐸2 , 𝜴2
𝓢 𝒓2 ≠ 𝟎 𝓢 𝒓 ≠𝟎

o Neutron diffusion in a finite homogeneous medium in the presence of

multiplication k
3
More Realistic in this Topic
o No external source 𝒮0 = 0; 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
≠𝟎
o 𝓢 𝒓 ≠ 𝟎 for the spatial locations. 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧

transport (slowing down & diffusion) 𝓢𝟎 = 𝟎

𝓢 𝒓1 ≠ 𝟎
𝒓1 , 𝐸1 , 𝜴1

Generation
absorbed in the
medium
𝒓2 , 𝐸2 , 𝜴2
𝓢 𝒓2 ≠ 𝟎 𝓢 𝒓 ≠𝟎

o Finite homogeneous medium;

o Multiplication 𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝜂𝑓𝜀𝑝𝑃𝑁𝐿 ≡ 𝑘∞ 𝑃𝑁𝐿 ;
o Dependence on the composition (𝑘∞ ) and size (𝑃𝑁𝐿 ) of a fuel assembly. Topics 2
4
Topics
o Criticality condition of homogeneous reactor
𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝜂𝑓𝜀𝑝𝑃𝑁𝐿 ≥ 1

fast neutrons from fast neutrons from

immediate fission new fission event
event

o Criticality condition of (types of) bare homogeneous reactors

▪ One-group diffusion theory
▪ Criticality (size, composition, etc.) of thermal reactors
▪ Neutron flux density under the condition of criticality
o Criticality condition of reflected reactors

5
 One-Group Diffusion Theory of Bare Homogeneous
Reactor

• Homogeneous: fuel and moderator are homogeneously mixed;

• Bare: without reflector.

6
Neutron Life Cycle
o Fission neutron generation at spatial location 𝑟Ԧ per unit volume per unit time:

Generation leakage
𝒌∞ = 𝜼𝒇𝜺𝒑

Absorption
captured

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟

= ∙
𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐤 ∞ 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧
Eq.(1) 𝓢𝑭 𝒓, 𝒕 𝒅𝑽 = 𝜮𝒂 𝝓 𝒓, 𝒕 𝒅𝑽 ∙ 𝒌∞

Fission source Infinite multiplication constant of an

intensity infinite assembly with no leakage. 7
Neutron Life Cycle
o Number of fission reactions per unit volume per unit time:
235 1 236 ∗ A1 A2
𝑅𝑓 = Σ𝑓 𝜙 = Σ𝑓 𝑛v 92U + 0n → 92U → Z1 X + Z2 Y + 𝜈 10n

𝑑𝑉 Absorb 1n Emit 𝜈1n

Eq.(2) 𝓢𝑭 𝒓, 𝒕 𝒅𝑽 = 𝝂𝑹𝒇 𝒅𝑽 = 𝝂𝜮𝒇 𝝓 𝒓, 𝒕 𝒅𝑽

o Eq.(1) = Eq.(2)

𝓢𝑭 𝒓, 𝒕 = 𝜮𝒂 𝝓 𝒓, 𝒕 𝒌∞ = 𝝂𝜮𝒇 𝝓 𝒓, 𝒕

𝝂𝜮𝒇 𝝓 𝒓, 𝒕 𝝂𝜮𝒇
𝒌∞ = =
𝜮𝒂 𝝓 𝒓, 𝒕 𝜮𝒂

8
Equation of Diffusion
o Topic 4 Equation of continuity describes the physical relationship between
the neutrons in a spatial location 𝑟Ԧ at time 𝑡 and those in surrounding locations
from the differential point of view.
1 𝜕𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡
= 𝒮 𝒓, 𝑡 − Σ𝑎 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡 + 𝐷𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡
v 𝜕𝑡
∞
General solution by separation-
𝝓 𝒓, 𝒕 = ෍ 𝑨𝒏 𝑻𝒏 𝒕 𝝓𝒏 𝒓
of-variables technique 𝒏=𝟏

o No external source 𝒮0 = 0;
o 𝒮𝐹 𝑟,
Ԧ 𝑡 = 𝑘∞ 𝛴𝑎 𝜙 𝑟,Ԧ 𝑡 = 𝜈Σ𝑓 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡 ;
o 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡 = 𝜙 𝒓 𝑇 𝑡 .

v 1 𝜕𝑇 𝑡
𝐷𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓 + 𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 𝜙 𝒓 = = −𝜆
𝜙 𝒓 𝑇 𝑡 𝜕𝑡

Only dependent to Only dependent to

spatial variable time variable
9
Equation of Diffusion
o Topic 4 Equation of continuity describes the physical relationship between
the neutrons in a spatial location 𝑟Ԧ at time 𝑡 and those in surrounding locations
from the differential point of view.
1 𝜕𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡
= 𝒮 𝒓, 𝑡 − Σ𝑎 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡 + 𝐷𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡
v 𝜕𝑡
∞
General solution by separation-
𝝓 𝒓, 𝒕 = ෍ 𝑨𝒏 𝑻𝒏 𝒕 𝝓𝒏 𝒓
of-variables technique 𝒏=𝟏

o No external source 𝒮0 = 0;
o 𝒮𝐹 𝑟,
Ԧ 𝑡 = 𝑘∞ 𝛴𝑎 𝜙 𝑟,Ԧ 𝑡 = 𝜈Σ𝑓 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡 ;
o 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡 = 𝜙 𝒓 𝑇 𝑡 .

v 1 𝜕𝑇 𝑡
𝐷𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓 + 𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 𝜙 𝒓 = = −𝜆
𝜙 𝒓 𝑇 𝑡 𝜕𝑡

𝑇 𝑡 = 𝑇 0 𝑒 −𝜆𝑡

10
Equation of Diffusion
o Topic 4 Equation of continuity describes the physical relationship between
the neutrons in a spatial location 𝑟Ԧ at time 𝑡 and those in surrounding locations
from the differential point of view.
1 𝜕𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡
= 𝒮 𝒓, 𝑡 − Σ𝑎 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡 + 𝐷𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡
v 𝜕𝑡
∞
General solution by separation-
𝝓 𝒓, 𝒕 = ෍ 𝑨𝒏 𝑻𝒏 𝒕 𝝓𝒏 𝒓
of-variables technique 𝒏=𝟏

v 𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 + 𝜆
o No external source 𝒮0 = 0; 𝛻2𝜙 𝒓 +
v𝐷
𝜙 𝒓 =0

o 𝒮𝐹 𝑟,
Ԧ 𝑡 = 𝑘∞ 𝛴𝑎 𝜙 𝑟,Ԧ 𝑡 = 𝜈Σ𝑓 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡 ;
o 𝜙 𝒓, 𝑡 = 𝜙 𝒓 𝑇 𝑡 .

v 1 𝜕𝑇 𝑡
𝐷𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓 + 𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 𝜙 𝒓 = = −𝜆
𝜙 𝒓 𝑇 𝑡 𝜕𝑡

0 = 𝐵2 𝜙 𝒓 + 𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓

11
Equation of Diffusion
v
𝐷𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓 + 𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 𝜙 𝒓 = −𝜆
𝜙 𝒓

v 𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 + 𝜆
𝛻2𝜙 𝒓 + 𝜙 𝒓 =0
v𝐷

𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓 + 𝐵2 𝜙 𝒓 = 0

v 𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 + 𝜆
𝑩𝟐 = geometric buckling
v𝐷

𝜆 = v 𝛴𝑎 + 𝐷𝐵2 − 𝜈𝛴𝑓 eigenvalue

12
(3-1) Plane Isotropic Source in a Finite Homogeneous Medium Topic 4
z
o 𝛻 2 in 1-dimension plane: Real boundary 𝓢 𝒙 =𝟎
𝑑 2 Extrapolated boundary
𝛻2 = 2 𝒮0 Plane source
𝑑𝑥 extrapolation distance
0.71𝜆𝑡𝑟
o Wave equation in 1D plane: 𝜙 𝑥 𝜙 𝑥

𝑑2𝜙 𝑥 1
0= − 𝜙 𝑥 𝑥≠0 x
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐿2 − 𝑎𝑒𝑥 Τ2 -a/2 0 a/2 𝑎𝑒𝑥 Τ2

y
General solution

𝜙 𝑟 = 𝐴𝑒 −𝑥Τ𝐿 + 𝐶𝑒 𝑥Τ𝐿

• Boundary condition (3): 𝜙 ± 𝑎𝑒𝑥 Τ2 = 0;

lim 𝐽 𝑥 = 𝒮0 Τ2.
• 𝑥→0

𝒮0 𝐿 sinh 𝑎𝑒𝑥 − 2 𝑥 Τ2𝐿

𝜙 𝑥 =
2𝐷 cosh 𝑎𝑒𝑥 Τ2𝐿
13
Slab Reactor
z
o 𝛻 2 in 1-dimension plane: Real boundary 𝓢 𝒙 ≠𝟎
𝑑 2 Extrapolated boundary
𝛻2 = 2 extrapolation distance
𝜙 𝑥
𝑑𝑥
0.71𝜆𝑡𝑟
o Diffusion equation:
𝑑2𝜙 𝑥
0= 2
+ 𝐵2 𝜙 𝑥 𝑥≠0 x
𝑑𝑥 − 𝑎𝑒𝑥 Τ2 -a/2 0 a/2 𝑎𝑒𝑥 Τ2

y
General solution

𝜙 𝑥 = 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 sin 𝐵𝑥
Boundary condition:
𝑑𝜙 𝑥
• 𝜙0 𝑥 is symmetric at 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥→0
lim 𝐽 𝑥 = lim
𝑥→0 𝑑𝑥
=0 𝜙 𝑥 = 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑥
• 𝜙 ±𝑎 = 0 𝜙
𝑎
= 𝐴 cos
𝐵𝑎
=0
2 2 2

2𝑛 − 1 𝜋
𝜙 𝑥 = 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑥 𝐵𝑛 = 𝑛 = 1, 2, 3, …
𝑎 aex
14
Slab Reactor
z
o 𝑛 = 1: Real boundary 𝓢 𝒙 ≠𝟎
𝜋 𝜙 𝑥
𝜙 𝑥 = 𝐴 cos 𝑥
𝑎
𝜋
o 𝐵1 =
𝑎
o A: arbitrary constant -a/2 0 a/2
x

15
Slab Reactor
z
o General solution, 𝑛 = 1,2,3, ⋯ Real boundary 𝓢 𝒙 ≠𝟎
∞

𝜙 𝑥, 𝑡 = ෍ 𝐴𝑛 𝑇𝑛 𝑡 𝜙𝑛 𝑥 𝝓 𝒙, 𝒕
𝑛=1

x
-a/2 0 a/2

2𝑛 − 1 𝜋 2𝑛 − 1 𝜋
𝜙𝑛 𝑥 = cos 𝑥 𝑩𝒏 =
𝑎 𝑎

𝑘𝑛 − 1
• eigenvalue 𝝀𝒏 = − = v Σ𝑎 + 𝐷𝐵𝑛2 − 𝜈Σ𝑓
𝑙𝑛

𝑘𝑛 −1 𝑘∞ 𝑙∞
𝑒 𝑙𝑛
𝑡 𝒌𝒏 ≡ 𝑙 ≡ Topic 3
𝑇𝑛 𝑡 = 𝑇𝑛 0 1 + 𝐿2 𝐵𝑛2 𝑛 1 + 𝐿2 𝐵𝑛2
𝒍∞ : neutron mean lifetime in
𝜈Σ𝑓 1 𝜆𝑎
𝑘∞ = 𝑙∞ ≡ = infinite medium; mainly
Σ𝑎 vΣ𝑎 v
dependent to 𝒕𝒅 . 16
Slab Reactor
𝜋 Asymptotic shape: Solution satisfied
𝐵12 = argmin 𝐵𝑛2 𝐵1 = after a sufficiently long time.
𝑛 𝑎
−𝜆1 𝑡
𝜋
𝜆𝑛 = v Σ𝑎 + 𝐷𝐵𝑛2 − 𝜈Σ𝑓 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴1 𝑒 cos 𝑥
𝑎
𝜆1 = argmin 𝜆𝑛 𝜆1 = v Σ𝑎 + 𝐷𝐵12 − 𝜈Σ𝑓
𝑛

o Asymptotic shape:
▪ This result implies that, independent of the initial distribution (as long as A1 ≠ 0),
the asymptotic shape will be the fundamental mode solution corresponding to the
smallest spatial and time eigenvalues.
▪ The asymptotic solution is steady-state only if λ1 = 0. If λ1 > 0, the asymptotic
solution is decaying in time, and if λ1 < 0, it is increasing in time.

𝑒 −𝜆1 𝑡 , increasing, 𝜆1 < 0

1 𝑒 −𝜆1 𝑡 = 1, 𝜆1 = 0
𝑒 −𝜆1 𝑡 , decaying, 𝜆1 > 0
0 t
17
Slab Reactor
𝜋 Asymptotic shape: Solution satisfied
𝐵12 = argmin 𝐵𝑛2 𝐵1 = after a sufficiently long time.
𝑛 𝑎
−𝜆1 𝑡
𝜋
𝜆𝑛 = v Σ𝑎 + 𝐷𝐵𝑛2 − 𝜈Σ𝑓 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴1 𝑒 cos 𝑥
𝑎
𝜆1 = argmin 𝜆𝑛 𝜆1 = v Σ𝑎 + 𝐷𝐵12 − 𝜈Σ𝑓
𝑛

o Asymptotic shape:
▪ This result implies that, independent of the initial distribution (as long as A1 ≠ 0),
the asymptotic shape will be the fundamental mode solution corresponding to the
smallest spatial and time eigenvalues.
▪ The asymptotic solution is steady-state only if λ1 = 0. If λ1 > 0, the asymptotic
solution is decaying in time, and if λ1 < 0, it is increasing in time.
i. When the neutron population is sustained precisely in steady-state by the
fission chain reaction, the reactor is said to be critical;
ii. when the neutron population is increasing in time, the reactor is said to be
supercritical; and
iii. when the neutron population is dying away in time, the reactor is said to be
subcritical.
18
Criticality Condition of Bare Homogeneous Reactor

19
Criticality Condition of Bare Homogeneous Reactor
o Asymptotic solution satisfied after a sufficiently long time):

𝜋 𝑒 −𝜆1 𝑡 , increasing, 𝜆1 < 0

𝜙 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴1 𝑒 −𝜆1𝑡 cos 𝑥
𝑎
1 𝑒 −𝜆1 𝑡 = 1, 𝜆1 = 0
𝑘1 − 1
𝜆1 = − = v Σ𝑎 + 𝐷𝐵12 − 𝜈Σ𝑓 𝑒 −𝜆1 𝑡 , decaying, 𝜆1 > 0
𝑙1
0 t

Type Subcriticality Criticality Supercriticality

𝑘∞
𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 value 𝑘1 < 1 𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝑘1 = =1 𝑘1 > 1
1 + 𝐿2 𝐵12

𝜆1 value 𝜆1 > 0 𝜆1 = 0 𝜆1 < 0

Asymptotic
decaying Steady-state increasing
shape

20
Geometric & Material Buckling
𝜋 Asymptotic shape: Solution satisfied
𝐵12 = argmin 𝐵𝑛2 𝐵1 = after a sufficiently long time.
𝑛 𝑎
−𝜆1 𝑡
𝜋
𝜆𝑛 = v Σ𝑎 + 𝐷𝐵𝑛2 − 𝜈Σ𝑓 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴1 𝑒 cos 𝑥
𝑎
=𝟎
𝜆1 = argmin 𝜆𝑛 𝜆1 = v Σ𝑎 + 𝐷𝐵12 − 𝜈Σ𝑓
𝑛 Slide 17

o Geometric Buckling:
𝜋 2
𝐵𝑔2 ≝ 𝐵12 = ▪ only dependent to reactor shape and size
𝑎

o Material Buckling:
𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 𝜈Σ𝑓 ΤΣ𝑎 − 1 𝑘∞ − 1
2 ≝
𝐵𝑚 = = ▪ Proportional to 𝑘∞ (composition)
𝐷 𝐿2 𝐿2

21
Criticality Condition of Bare Homogeneous Reactor
o Geometric Buckling
𝑘∞ 𝑘∞ − 𝑘1
𝑘1 = 𝐵12 =
1 + 𝐿2 𝐵12 𝐿2
𝑘1 − 1
2
𝐵𝑚 − 𝐵12 =
𝐿2
o Material Buckling
2
𝑘∞ − 1
𝐵𝑚 =
𝐿2

Type Subcriticality Criticality Supercriticality

𝑘∞
𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 value 𝑘1 < 1 𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝑘1 = =1 𝑘1 > 1
1 + 𝐿2 𝐵12

𝜆1 value 𝜆1 > 0 𝜆1 = 0 𝜆1 < 0

2
𝐵𝑚 value 2
𝐵𝑚 < 𝐵12 2
𝐵𝑚 = 𝐵12 2
𝐵𝑚 > 𝐵12

Asymptotic
decaying Steady-state increasing
shape
22
Reactivity
o Reactivity

𝑘∞ 𝑘eff − 1 𝑘 − 1 𝜌 indicates the degree of

𝑘eff = 𝜌≝ ≝
1 + 𝐿2 𝐵12 𝑘eff 𝑘 deviation from reactor criticality.

Type Subcriticality Criticality Supercriticality

𝑘∞
𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 value 𝑘1 < 1 𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝑘1 = =1 𝑘1 > 1
1 + 𝐿2 𝐵12

𝜌 value 𝜌<0 𝝆=𝟎 𝜌>0

𝜆1 value 𝜆1 > 0 𝜆1 = 0 𝜆1 < 0

2
𝐵𝑚 value 2
𝐵𝑚 < 𝐵12 2
𝐵𝑚 = 𝐵12 2
𝐵𝑚 > 𝐵12

Asymptotic
decaying Steady-state increasing
shape

23
Probability of Non-Leakage
o Topic 2 𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝜂𝑓𝜀𝑝𝑃𝑁𝐿 ≡ 𝑘∞ 𝑃𝑁𝐿 = 1
1
𝑘∞ 𝑃𝑁𝐿 =
o Slide 20 𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝑘1 = =1 1 + 𝐿2 𝐵2
1 + 𝐿2 𝐵2

o Proof

absorbed
PNL ≝ neutrons
absorbed leaked
+
neutrons neutrons
Σa ‫׬‬V ϕdV Σa ‫׬‬V ϕdV 1
= = =
Σa ‫׬‬V ϕdV + ‫׬‬V −D∇2 ϕdV Σa ‫׬‬V ϕdV + DB 2 ‫׬‬V ϕdV 1 + L2 B2

0 = B2 ϕ 𝐫Ԧ + ∇2 ϕ 𝐫Ԧ

24
Modifying Effective Multiplication Constant
o Migration length is related to the mean-squared distance that a neutron travels
from birth as a fast fission neutron until capture as a thermal neutron;
𝑟Ԧ𝑀2 = 6 𝜏𝑡ℎ + 𝐿2 ≡ 6𝑀2

1 2
𝑀 = 𝜏𝑡ℎ + 𝐿 = 𝑟𝑠 + 𝑟𝑑2
2 2
6 Topic 4

𝑘∞ 2
𝑘∞ − 1
𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝐵𝑚 =
1 + 𝑀2 𝐵2 𝑀2

25
Geometric Buckling and Flux in Different Bare
Homogeneous Reactors

26
Sphere Reactor
o Diffusion equation:
0 = 𝐵𝑔2 𝜙 𝒓 + 𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓
𝑅/𝑅𝑒𝑥
2
𝑑 𝜙 𝑟 2 𝑑𝜙 𝑟
0= 2
+ + 𝐵𝑔2 𝜙 𝑟
𝑑𝑟 𝑟 𝑑𝑟

General solution

sin 𝐵𝑔 𝑟 cos 𝐵𝑔 𝑟
𝜙 𝑟 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2
𝑟 𝑟

Boundary condition:
𝑑𝜙 𝑟
• 𝜙0 𝑟 is symmetric at 𝑟 = 0, 𝑟→0
lim 𝐽 𝑟 = lim = 0 𝐶2 = 0
𝑟→0 𝑑𝑟
• 𝜙 𝑅 = 0 𝜙 𝑅 = 𝐶1 cos 𝐵𝑔 𝑅 = 0

sin 𝐵𝑔 𝑟 𝜋 2
𝜙 𝑟 =𝐶 𝐵𝑔2 = 𝐵12 =
𝑟 𝑅
𝑅/𝑅𝑒𝑥
27
Right Circular Cylinder Reactor z

o Diffusion equation:
0 = 𝐵𝑔2 𝜙 𝒓 + 𝛻 2 𝜙 𝒓
𝐻/𝐻𝑒𝑥
2
𝜕 𝜙 𝑟, 𝑧 1 𝜕𝜙 𝑟, 𝑧 2
𝜕 𝜙 𝑟, 𝑧 r
0
0= 2
+ + 2
+ 𝐵𝑔2 𝜙 𝑟, 𝑧
𝜕𝑟 𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑧

General solution 𝑅/𝑅𝑒𝑥

𝜙 𝑟, 𝑧 = 𝜙 𝑟 𝑍 𝑧

1 𝑑2𝜑 𝑟 1 𝑑𝜑 𝑟 1 𝑑2𝑍 𝑧
+ + = −𝐵𝑔2
𝜑 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 2 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑍 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 2

−𝐵𝑟2 −𝐵𝑧2
Boundary condition:
• 𝜙(𝑟, 𝑧) < ∞
𝐻
• 𝜙 𝑅, 𝑧 = 0, 𝜙 𝑟, ± =0
2

2 2
2.405 𝜋 2 2 2
2.405 𝜋
𝜙 𝑟, 𝑧 = 𝐶𝐽0 𝑟 cos 𝑧 𝐵𝑔 = 𝐵𝑟 + 𝐵𝑧 = +
𝑅 𝐻 𝑅 𝐻
28
Other Reactors

29
Optimum Geometries

30
Optimal reactor shape
o The minimum size for a bare reactor of a given composition that will be critical
depends on the leakage, hence on the surface-to-volume ratio:
2;
▪ Rectangular parallelepiped bare reactor: 𝑉 ≈ 161.11Τ𝐵𝑚
2;
▪ Right circular cylinder bare reactor: 𝑉 ≈ 148.31Τ𝐵𝑚
▪ Spherical bare reactor: 𝑉 ≈ 129.88Τ𝐵𝑚 2.

31
Neutron flux non-uniformity
o It is generally desirable for the neutron flux to be distributed as uniformly as
possible over the reactor core.
o Flux non-uniformity coefficient (𝑲𝑯 ) measures the peak-to-volume average
value of the neutron flux in a reactor core:
𝜙max
𝐾𝐻 =
1
𝜙 𝑟Ԧ 𝑑𝑉
𝑉 ‫𝑉׬‬
▪ 𝑉: volume of the reactor core;
▪ The larger the value of 𝑲𝑯 , the more non-uniformity of the neutron flux in
the core.

32
Right Circular Cylinder Reactor (bare homogeneous) z

o Neutron flux distribution:

2.405 𝜋
𝜙 𝑟, 𝑧 = 𝐶𝐽0 𝑟 cos 𝑧 𝐻/𝐻𝑒𝑥
𝑅 𝐻 r
0

assume 𝜙max = 1
𝑅/𝑅𝑒𝑥
𝜙max 1 ∙ 𝜋R2 ∙ 𝐻
𝐾H = =
1
‫𝑟 𝜙 𝑉׬‬Ԧ 𝑑𝑉
𝑉 ‫𝑟 𝜙 𝑉׬‬Ԧ 𝑑𝑉

𝜋R2
𝐾𝑟 = = 2.31 radial direction
𝑅 2.405
‫׬‬0 𝐽0 𝑅 𝑟 2𝜋𝑟𝑑𝑟
𝐻 𝜋
𝐾𝑧 = 𝐻Τ2 𝜋 = = 1.57 axial direction
‫׬‬−𝐻Τ2 cos 𝐻 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 2
o Spherical reactor: 𝐾H = 𝜋 2 Τ3 ≈ 3.27
𝐾H = 𝐾𝑟 𝐾𝑧 = 2.31 × 1.57 = 3.62 o rectangular parallelepiped reactor:
𝐾H = 𝜋 3 Τ8 ≈ 3.88
33
Flattening of the power distribution
o Reactor power: the energy released from a reactor per unit time.

Topic 2 ത = 𝐸𝑓 Σ𝑓 න 𝜙 𝑟Ԧ 𝑑𝑉
𝑃 = 𝐸𝑓 ∙ 𝑅𝑓 𝑉 = 𝐸𝑓 Σ𝑓 𝜙𝑉
𝑉

𝜙max
𝐾𝐻 =
1
𝜙 𝑟Ԧ 𝑑𝑉
𝑉 ‫𝑉׬‬

𝜙max 𝑉
o Flattening of the power distribution: ↑ 𝑷~
𝑲𝑯 ↓

34
Flattening of the power distribution
o Core zoning scheme that the core can be radially partitioned into different
zones, where fuel pins of low enrichment are loaded into central zones,
whereas, fuel pins of high enrichment are located into outer zones;
o Proper distribution of poisons of very large absorption cross sections (e.g.,
Gadolinium, Boron) into the relatively high flux zones;
o Chemical shim and adjuster rods are used for flattening the power distribution
and for short-term reactivity adjustments;
o Others, e.g., reflectors.

35
Reflected Reactor

36
Reflector
o Materials (with well scattering capacity, small absorption cross section and
nonmultiplying property, e.g., graphite) cover the reactor core, aimed at
reflecting the leaked neutron return to the reactor.
core surface
z

reflector reflector

Scattering

𝜙 𝑥
x
-a/2 0 a/2

37
Reflected Slab Reactor interface
z
o Boundary conditions: reflector Reactor core reflector

o 𝜙 𝑥 is limited value;
o 𝜙 𝑥 is symmetric on the sides of y-z plane;
o 𝜙 𝑥 is continuous in the interface between
reactor core and reflectors;
o 𝐽 𝑥 is continuous in the interface between x
b -a/2 0 a/2 b
reactor core and reflectors;

……
y
o Without consider extrapolation distance, infinite
𝜙 𝑥 is assumed to be equal to 0 in the
infinite
surface of reflectors;
𝐽𝑥+ |𝑐
𝐽𝑥− |𝑐
𝐽𝑥+ |𝑟
𝐽𝑥− |𝑟
Interface Interface
(core) (reflector)
Topic 4
𝐽𝑥+ |𝑐 = 𝐽𝑥+ |𝑟
38
𝐽𝑥− |𝑐 = 𝐽𝑥− |𝑟
Reflected Slab Reactor (Reactor Core) interface
z
o 𝛻 2 in 1-dimension plane: reflector Reactor core reflector

𝑑 2
𝛻2 = 2
𝑑𝑥
o Slide 14 Diffusion equation in reactor core:
𝑑 2 𝜙𝑐 𝑥 𝑎
0= 2
+ 𝐵𝑐2 𝜙𝑐 𝑥 𝑥 ≤ x
𝑑𝑥 2 b -a/2 0 a/2 b

……
Slide 21 y
o Geometric Buckling: infinite

𝜋 2 𝑘∞ − 𝑘1 infinite
2
𝐵𝑐𝑔 ≝ 𝐵12 = =
𝑎 𝐿2𝑐

o Material Buckling:

2
𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 𝜈Σ𝑓 ΤΣ𝑎 − 1 𝑘∞ − 1 2 = 𝐵2
𝐵𝑐𝑚 ≝ = = 𝐵𝑐𝑚 𝑐𝑔 criticality
𝐷 𝐿2𝑐 𝐿2𝑐
o 𝐿2𝑐 : diffusion length in reactor core.

39
Reflected Slab Reactor (Reactor Core) interface
z
o 𝛻 2 in 1-dimension plane: reflector Reactor core reflector

𝑑 2
𝛻2 = 2
𝑑𝑥
o 𝜙𝑐 𝑥 in criticality condition in reactor core:
𝑑 2 𝜙𝑐 𝑥 𝟐
𝑎
0= + 𝑩 𝜙
𝒄𝒎 𝑐 𝑥 𝑥 ≤ x
𝑑𝑥 2 2 b -a/2 0 a/2 b

……
Boundary condition: y
• 𝜙𝑐 𝑥 is symmetric at 𝑥 = 0, infinite
𝑑𝜙𝑐 𝑥 infinite
lim 𝐽𝑐 𝑥 = lim =0
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑑𝑥

𝑎
Eq.(3) 𝜙𝑐 𝑥 = 𝐴 cos 𝑩𝒄𝒎 𝑥 𝑥 ≤
2

40
Reflected Slab Reactor (Reflector) interface
z
o 𝛻 2 in 1-dimension plane: reflector Reactor core reflector

𝑑 2
𝛻2 = 2
𝑑𝑥
o Slide 13 Diffusion equation in reflector:
𝑑 2 𝜙𝑟 𝑥 1 𝑎 𝑎
0= − 2 𝜙𝑟 𝑥 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ +𝑏 x
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐿𝑟 2 2 b -a/2 0 a/2 b

……
𝜙𝑟 𝑥 meets with the wave equation y
.Topic 4 because there is no fuel, thus no infinite
neutron generation in reflector. infinite
o 𝐿2𝑟 : diffusion length in reflector.

General solution

𝑥 𝑥
−𝐿
𝜙𝑟 𝑥 = 𝐴1 𝑒 𝑟 + 𝐴2 𝑒 𝐿𝑟

41
Reflected Slab Reactor (Reflector) interface
z
o 𝛻 2 in 1-dimension plane: reflector Reactor core reflector

𝑑 2
𝛻2 = 2
𝑑𝑥
o Slide 13 Diffusion equation in reflector:
𝑑 2 𝜙𝑟 𝑥 1 𝑎 𝑎
0= − 2 𝜙𝑟 𝑥 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ +𝑏 x
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐿𝑟 2 2 b -a/2 0 a/2 b

……
𝜙𝑟 𝑥 meets with the wave equation y
.Topic 4 because there is no fuel, thus no infinite
neutron generation in reflector. infinite
o 𝐿2𝑟 : diffusion length in reflector.

Boundary condition:
General solution
• 𝜙 𝑥 is symmetric;
𝑥 𝑥 𝑎
−𝐿 • 𝜙𝑟 𝑥 is equal to 0 at 𝑥 = ± +𝑏 ;
𝜙𝑟 𝑥 = 𝐴1 𝑒 𝑟 + 𝐴2 𝑒 𝐿𝑟 2

𝑎
+𝑏− 𝑥
2
Eq.(4) 𝜙𝑟 𝑥 = 𝐴𝑅 sinh
𝐿𝑟
42
Reflected Slab Reactor interface
z
o Boundary conditions: reflector Reactor core reflector
• 𝜙 𝑥 is symmetric;
𝑎
• 𝜙𝑟 𝑥 is equal to 0 at 𝑥 = ± +𝑏 ;
2
• 𝜙 𝑥 and 𝐽 𝑥 are continuous at the interface:
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
𝜙𝑐 = 𝜙𝑟 𝐽𝑐𝑥 = 𝐽𝑟𝑥 x
2 2 2 2 b -a/2 0 a/2 b

……
o Eq.(3) = Eq.(4) when x=a/2 y
infinite

𝑎 𝑏 infinite
𝐴 cos 𝑩𝒄𝒎 = 𝐴𝑅 sinh Eq.(5)
2 𝐿𝑟

𝑑 𝑑 Eq.(5) / Eq.(6)
o −𝐷𝑐 𝜙𝑐 𝑥 |𝑥=𝑎 = −𝐷𝑟 𝜙𝑟 𝑥 |𝑥=𝑎
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑎 𝐷𝑟 𝑏
𝐵𝑐𝑚 𝐷𝑐 tan 𝐵𝑐𝑚 = coth
𝑎 1 𝑏 2 𝐿𝑟 𝐿𝑟
𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑚 𝐷𝑐 cos 𝐵𝑐𝑚 = 𝐴𝑅 𝐷𝑟 cosh Eq.(6) criticality condition which must
2 𝐿𝑟 𝐿𝑟
be satisfied in order for a steady-
state solution.
43
Reflector Saving - Reflected Slab Reactor
𝑎 𝐷𝑟 𝑏
𝐵𝑐𝑚 𝐷𝑐 tan 𝐵𝑐𝑚 = coth
2 𝐿𝑟 𝐿𝑟
criticality condition which must
be satisfied in order for a steady-
state solution.
𝒚 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝒙

𝜋 𝑎 𝜋 𝜋
tan → +∞ 𝐵𝑐𝑚 < 𝑎< 𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝒙
2 2 2 𝐵𝑐𝑚

o Since the criticality condition for the bare slab was 𝐵𝑚 = 𝜋Τ𝒂𝒆𝒙 Slide 17 (taking
extrapolation distance into account), this result confirms that the addition of a
reflector reduces the dimension necessary for criticality.
o Proof:
If the composition of fuel assembly does not change, material buckling is
same.
𝜋 𝜋
> 𝐵𝑐𝑚 = 𝐵𝑚 = 𝑎 < 𝑎𝑒𝑥
𝑎 𝑎𝑒𝑥
44
Reflector Saving - Reflected Slab Reactor
o The difference in the reflected and unreflected critical dimensions is known as
the reflector savings, δ:
𝑎𝑒𝑥 𝑎
𝛿= −
2 2
𝜋
𝐵𝑐𝑚 = 𝐵𝑚 =
𝑎𝑒𝑥

𝑎 𝜋
= −𝛿
2 2𝐵𝑐𝑚

𝜋 𝐷𝑟 𝑏
Eq.(4) 𝐵𝑐𝑚 𝐷𝑐 tan − 𝐵𝑐𝑚 𝛿 = coth
2 𝐿𝑟 𝐿𝑟
……
Some assumptions

𝐿𝑟
𝛿 ≈ 𝐷𝑐 𝑏 ≫ 𝐿𝑟
𝐷𝑟

45
Reflected Reactors Criticality Conditions
o Spherical reactor with reflector: reflector
𝑻
𝑅 𝑇
𝐷𝑐 1 − 𝐵𝑐 𝑅 cot 𝐵𝑐 𝑅 = 𝐷𝑟 1 + coth 𝑅
𝐿𝑟 𝐿𝑟 core

𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎
𝐵𝑐 =
𝐷

𝜋 𝜋 2
𝛿 = 𝑅 bare − 𝑅 reflected = bare: 𝐵𝑔2 = 𝐵12 = Slide 27
𝐵𝑔 𝑅

𝜋 2
𝐵𝑔2 = reflected
𝑅 reflected + 𝛿

46
Reflected Reactors Criticality Conditions
o Spherical reactor with reflector - reflector saving: reflector
𝑻
𝑅 𝑇
𝐷𝑐 1 − 𝐵𝑐 𝑅 cot 𝐵𝑐 𝑅 = 𝐷𝑟 1 + coth 𝑅
𝐿𝑟 𝐿𝑟 core

assume 𝐷𝑐 = 𝐷𝑟

1 𝑇
−𝐵𝑐 cot 𝐵𝑐 𝑅 = coth
𝐿𝑟 𝐿𝑟

𝜋
𝑅 = 𝑅 reflected = 𝑅 bare − 𝛿 = −𝛿
𝐵𝑐

1 𝑇 tan 𝐵𝑐 𝛿 ≈ 𝐵𝑐 𝛿 𝑇
−𝐵𝑐 cot 𝜋 − 𝐵𝑐 𝛿 = coth 𝛿 ≈ 𝐿𝑟 tanh
𝐿𝑟 𝐿𝑟 𝐿𝑟

1 𝑇 o Reflector is thin, T ≪ 𝐿𝑟 , tan 𝑇Τ𝐿𝑟 ≈ 𝑇Τ𝐿𝑟 :

𝛿 = arctan 𝐵𝑐 𝐿𝑟 tanh
𝐵𝑐 𝐿𝑟 𝛿≈𝑇
o Reflector is thick, T ≫ 𝐿𝑟 , tan 𝑇Τ𝐿𝑟 ≈ 1:
𝛿 ≈ 𝐿𝑟
47
Reflected Reactors Criticality Conditions z
𝑻 reflector
o Side-reflected cylinder reactor: 𝑅
core
𝐷𝑐 J0′ 𝐵𝑟 𝑅 𝑘𝑟 𝐷𝑟 K ′0 𝑘𝑟 𝑅 + 𝑠I0′ 𝑘𝑟 𝑅
= 𝐻
J0 𝐵𝑟 𝑅 K 0 𝑘𝑟 𝑅 − 𝑠I0 𝑘𝑟 𝑅 r
0

2
𝐵𝑐𝑚 = 𝐵𝑟2 + 𝐵𝑧2
1 𝜋 2 𝜈Σ𝑓 − Σ𝑎 𝜋 2
2 2
𝑘𝑟 = 2+ 𝑘𝑐 = −
𝐿𝑟 𝐻 𝐷 𝐻

2
2.405
𝛿𝑟 = 𝑅 bare − 𝑅 reflected bare: 𝐵𝑟2 = Slide 28
𝑅
2 2
2
2.405 𝜋 reflected
𝐵𝑐𝑚 = +
𝑅 reflected + 𝛿𝑟 𝐻

48
Reflected Reactors Criticality Conditions z

o End-reflected cylinder reactor: 𝑅 𝑻 reflector

𝜇𝑐 𝐻
𝐷𝑐 𝜇𝑐 tan = 𝐷𝑟 coth 𝜇𝑟 𝑇 core 𝐻
2 r
0
2
𝐵𝑐𝑚 = 𝐵𝑟2 + 𝐵𝑧2
𝑻
2
1 2.405
𝜇𝑟2 = 2+
𝐿𝑟 𝑅

𝜋 2
𝐻 bare 𝐻 reflected bare: 𝐵𝑧2 = Slide 28
𝛿𝑧 = − 𝐻
2 2

2 2
2
2.405 𝜋 reflected
𝐵𝑐𝑚 = +
𝑅 𝐻 + 2𝛿𝑧

49
The Role of Reflector
o Be capable of reducing neutron leakage, leading the critical size of the reactor
core to be reduced and the fuel to be saved, compared to that without
reflector;
o Making the neutron flux distribution in the core more uniform by increasing
the neutron population in the outer region due to reflected neutrons which
otherwise would have escaped;
o Be capable of increasing the reactor average output power, because neutron
flux density attenuates more slowly and smoothly.

flattening

50
Selection of Reflector
o Large scattering cross section (large 𝜮𝒔 );
▪ Once leak into the reflector, the probability of occurrence of scattering in a
short distance in the reflector is large, such that the chance of return into the
reactor becomes large.
o Small absorption cross section (small 𝜮𝒂 );
▪ To reduce the probability of absorbing the neutrons.
o Favorable slowing down capability.
▪ High energy neutrons can be slowed down to be thermal neutrons, which
decreases the probability of the resonance absorption in reactor core.

o Typical reflector materials: H2O, D2O, graphite, Be

51
Example 1
Consider the cylindrical uranium-water lattices, 𝑅 = 0.50𝑚, and other factors
𝑘∞ = 1.19, 𝐿2 = 6.6 × 10−4 𝑚2 , 𝜏 = 0.50 × 10−2 𝑚2 .
o What is the height of water when the lattices reach at critical?
o The lattice is used as the core of a reactor, whose size is 𝑅𝑐 = 1.66𝑚, 𝐻𝑐 =
3.50𝑚. The reflector savings are 𝛿𝑟 = 0.07𝑚, 𝛿𝐻 = 0.1𝑚. Calculate the initial
reactivity.

52
Example 1 - Solution

53