Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

5-20-1970

Abstract

A mathematical model describing the kinetic response of a reflected fast burst reactor is developed using point reac­tor theory. The equations of the model are used to derive a reflected inhour relationship and a two region Rossi-alpha equation.

The model is investigated for three reactor-reflector configurations; the bare reactor, the reactor with a radially symmetric steel reflector, and a reactor with a radially sym­metric polyethylene reflector. This investigation includes the results of a calculational study using Monte-Carlo tech­niques and an experimental program using Rossi-alpha, pulsed neutron, and reactor burst techniques on the Sandia Pulsed Reactor SPR II.

A Type I (all counts and all times) multichannel time analyzer, which was designed and built to carry out the Rossi­alpha experiments, is described. Results of a supplementary experiment show the biasing of the prompt neutron decay con­stant when measured with a Type III (count-to-count) multi­channel time analyzer.

Rossi-alpha measurements at subprompt critical reactivit­ies are used with limited success to predict reflector effects on the super prompt critical behavior of a fast burst reactor. It is considered that significant improvements in the predict­ions should be attainable with additional development of the Rossi-alpha or similar techniques.

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Nuclear Engineering

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Nuclear Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Robert Leroy Long

Second Committee Member

Glenn Alan Whan

Third Committee Member

Ralph Douglas O'Dell

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