Slow Evolution of the Reactivity of a Beryllium Oxide or Beryllium Moderated Reactor as a Consequence of the Formation of Li$sup 6$ or He$sup 3$; EVOLUTION LENTE DE LA REACTIVITE DANS UN REACTEUR MODERE A LA GLUCINE OU AU BERYLLIUM, A LA SUITE DE LA FORMATION DE Li$sup 6$ ET DE He$sup 3$
In a beryllium oxide or beryllium moderated reactor, the reaction n + Be/ sup 9/ yields He/sup 4/ + He/sup 6/ produced by fast neutrons. The He/sup 6/ is transformed almost instantaneously by beta activity inin Li/sup 6/. The thermal neutron captare by Li/sup 6/ produces He/sup 4/ and H/sup 3/. The tritium decays into He/sup 3/. The loss of reactivity caused by Li/sup 6/ and He/ sup 3/ is calculated on the assumption that the two isotopes do not escape from the reactor. The equations for the reactivity loss are derived and evaluated numerically for a given case. The results show that for a natural uranium power reactor, the reactivity change caused by Li/sup 6/ and He/sup 3/ is of great importance is extended operation. (J.S.R.)
- Research Organization:
- France. Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Paris
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-002153
- OSTI ID:
- 4239003
- Report Number(s):
- SPM-257
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-60
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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