THE DETERMINATION OF SOLUBLE POISON CONCENTRATIONS IN H$sub 2$O (thesis)
A soluble poison is a water soluble chemical compound which possesses a high thermal neutron absorption cross section. It is added to the water moderator of a boiling reactor for certain control purposes. A method is described which will continuously monitor the concentration of the poison in the moderator. The theory of operation follows that of the transmission principle in which a neutron beam is attenuated by the medium through which it passes. Poisoned moderator is circulated through a small tank surrounded by paraffin while a BF/sub 3/ proportional counter detects neutrons which diffuse through the water from a Po-Be neutron source. The relationship between counting rate and poison concentration is essentially linear in the concentration range which is considered (0 to 0.008 molar boric acid). Calibration of several counter arrangements and positions is presented. Data are given for effects of temperature, liquid level, and amount of poison on counting rate. Three poisons, gadolinium, cadmium, and boron were used in the experiment. This analytical method can yield results commensurate with counting error which will decrease as counting time is increased. One drawback of using BF/sub 3/ proportional counters is that their operating characteristics shift with high counting rates and care must be taken to insure operation on the proper plateaus. Accuracies approaching 1% have been attained which can be achieved with the continuous arrangement proposed. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., Ill.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-018865
- OSTI ID:
- 4141564
- Report Number(s):
- TID-6143
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
A PARAFFIN-MODERATED 4$pi$-NEUTRON DETECTOR
NUCLEAR PERFORMANCE OF LARGE PRESSURIZED WATER REACTORS CONTROLLED BY SOLUBLE POISON
Related Subjects
BERYLLIUM
BOILING
BORON
BORON FLUORIDES
CADMIUM
CHEMICALS
CHEMISTRY
CONTROL SYSTEMS
COUNTERS
DETECTION
ERRORS
GADOLINIUM
MODERATORS
MONITORING
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRON SOURCES
PARAFFIN
POISONING
POLONIUM
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
QUANTITY RATIO
REACTORS
SOLUBILITY
TEMPERATURE
THERMAL NEUTRONS
WATER