Theory of Pulsed Neutron Source Measurements

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Nuclear Science and Engineering

OSTI ID:4696201

Garelis, E. ^[1]; Russell, Jr., J. L. ^[1]

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1. General Electric Co., Pleasanton, CA (United States)

A method of utilizing pulsed-neutron-source measurements for the determination of the subcriticality of an assembly directly in terms of dollars is proposed. Essentially, the method determines a certain parameter (k BETA /1) using the complete response curve of a repetitively pulsed assembly after the quasi-equilibrium state has been attained. This value of (k BETA /1) coupled with the alpha measurement, assuming the prompt decay constant to be dominant, yields the reactivity directly. The analytical model is based on a bare one- group diffusion theory system with m-delayed precursors. The application of these results to experiment shows that their applicability is much broader than the simple analytical model would indicate.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Pleasanton, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP); US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• NSA Number: NSA-17-031697
• OSTI ID: 4696201
• Journal Information: Nuclear Science and Engineering, Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering Vol. 16; ISSN 0029-5639
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
CRITICALITY
DECAY
DELAYED NEUTRONS
DIFFUSION
GROUP THEORY
MEASURED VALUES
MULTIPLICATION FACTORS
NEUTRON SOURCES
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
PULSES
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
REACTIVITY