Inverse dynamics and the hybrid method of reactivity measurement

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA)

OSTI ID:5433152

Bernard, J A

Two new algorithms for the measurement of reactivity have been developed. These are inverse dynamics and the hybrid method. The basis of each is the dynamic period equation, which gives the instantaneous reactor period as a function of the rate of change of reactivity, the reactivity, and the rate of redistribution of the delayed neutron precursors. Both methods are rigorous within the limitations of space-independent kinetics. These new algorithms are a recent result of the ongoing Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) program to develop and evaluate advanced instrumentation and control systems for both commercial power and spacecraft reactors. The motivation for this particular effort was the desire to apply validation techniques such as the parity space approach to the estimation of reactivity. Such methodologies require that there be at least three, and preferably four, independent methods of determining the quantity in quantity in question. In regard to reactivity, there have traditionally been only two methods for its measurement. These are balance calculations and inverse kinetics. The research reported here partially addresses the need for additional independent approaches to reactivity measurement in that the new algorithms are mathematically different from the existing inverse kinetics technique.

• OSTI ID: 5433152
• Report Number(s): CONF-881011--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA) Journal Volume: 57
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220100* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Theory & Calculation
ALGORITHMS
DELAYED NEUTRON PRECURSORS
ISOTOPES
KINETICS
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERS
PHYSICS
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTIVITY
REACTIVITY METERS
REACTOR KINETICS
REACTOR PHYSICS