THE THEORY OF NEUTRON SLOWING DOWN IN NUCLEAR REACTORS

Thesis/Dissertation · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1962

OSTI ID:4713410

Ferziger, J H

Those parts of reactor theory which pertain to the prediction of reactor criticality are reviewed. In addition, new results are presented which establish the range of validity of the asymptotic reactor model and several theorems, the proofs of which have not previously appeared in the literature, are proven. The derivation of the Boltzmann Equation and the scattering frequency totic reactor theory are presented. It is shown that, by treating thermal neutrons by the one group approximation, the criticality problem can be converted to one of calculating certain slowing down kernels. Most of the results are well known, but new derivations and the discussion of the validity of the asymptotic model appear to be original. The slowing down kernels are calculated. The methods employed are of general utility in reactor physics and may be used in more realistic reactor models. Slowing down in an infinite medium is treated and the resonance escape probability is calculated in several approximations, including one which has not been previously published. Models for calculating neutron distributions in space and energy in finite media are presented. Again, the major portion of the results is not new, but the proofs of a few previously unpublished theorems are given. Numerical methods which are often used in reactor calculations are discussed. In the appendices, some extensions of asymptotic reactor theory and a discussion of the limitations of the model are given as well as the proofs of some theorems quoted in the text. (Dissertation Abstr.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-17-022548
• OSTI ID: 4713410
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BOLTZMANN EQUATION
CRITICALITY
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY
FREQUENCY
NEUTRONS
NUMERICALS
PHYSICS
REACTORS
RESONANCE ESCAPE PROBABILITY
SCATTERING
SLOWDOWN
THERMAL NEUTRONS
TRANSPORT THEORY