Reactor nodal methods using response matrix techniques

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:5486457

Ancona, A

Reactor nodal methods are analyzed and a response matrix approach is used in viewing a reactor node in isolation, and characterizing the node by reflection and trans-emission factors. These are then used to generate invariant imbedding parameters which in turn are used in a nodal reactor simulator code to compute core power distributions in two and three dimensions. Various nodal techniques are analyzed and converted into a single invariant imbedding formalism. Equivalence is demonstrated between invariant imbedding formalism and response matrix approaches using analytical diffusion theory solution with Fourier transforms, coarse mesh and modified coarse mesh diffusion theory, coarse mesh diffusion theory with Taylor Series expansion of the neutron flux, and Green's Function probabilities. Acceptability of results for simple test cases is demonstrated, and the nodal coupling formulation is demonstrated to perform well when integrated with other required models for predicting effects of thermal energy group transitions, controlled assemblies, and reflectors. Power distribution solutions, obtained with the invariant imbedding response matrix techniques developed in this work, are compared to fine mesh diffusion theory solutions and to reference ''exact'' solutions.

• Research Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5486457
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220100* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Theory & Calculation
DIFFUSION
EQUATIONS
FOURIER TRANSFORMATION
FUNCTIONS
GREEN FUNCTION
INTEGRAL TRANSFORMATIONS
KINETICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MESH GENERATION
NEUTRON FLUX
RADIATION FLUX
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR KINETICS
REACTOR KINETICS EQUATIONS
RESPONSE MATRIX METHOD
THERMAL DIFFUSION
TRANSFORMATIONS