THE FAST EFFECT IN A BERYLLIUM MODERATED REACTOR

Technical Report · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1959

OSTI ID:4098890

Novak, P E

The effect of the (n.2n) and (n, alpha ) reactions on the neutron economy of a beryllium-moderated reactor was investigated. It is pointed out that the available experimental data are not internally consistent and that a fast effect of between l.03 and l.l9 can be obtained depending upon the interpretation of the experimental work. The analysis was therefore performed separately on the basis of several choices of irterpretation: (a) the improvements in the neutron economy due to fast neutron reactions in beryllium: (b) the deleterious effect due to the build-up of absorbing substances which result from the (n, alpha ) reaction; (c) the relative effectiveness of beryllium oxide as compared with a metallic beryllium moderator for improving neutron economy; (d) the effect of mixing a fertile material (thorium) with the beryllium; and (e) the effect of neutron leakage for a definite reactor configuration. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Atomic Power Equipment Dept., San Jose, Calif.
• NSA Number: NSA-15-008258
• OSTI ID: 4098890
• Report Number(s): GEAP-3288; R59APE39
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
ALPHA PARTICLES
BERYLLIUM
BERYLLIUM MODERATOR
BERYLLIUM OXIDES
EFFICIENCY
FAST NEUTRONS
FERTILE MATERIALS
FISSION
MIXING
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
RESEARCH REACTORS
THORIUM