Fuel-assembly vibration-induced neutron noise in PWRs

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6104773

Sweeney, F J; Renier, J P

Space-dependent reactor kinetics calculations were performed to interpret observed increases in the amplitude of pressurized water reactor (PWR), ex-core neutron detector noise with increasing fuel burnup and correspondingly decreasing soluble boron concentration. These noise amplitude increases have occurred at both low frequencies (< 1.0 Hz) and in the 2.0- to 4.0-Hz frequency range. The noise amplitude increases in the 2.0- to 4.0-Hz frequency range have usually been accompanied by a decrease in the fundamental mode fuel assembly resonant frequency from 3.5 to 2.5 Hz over a fuel cycle, which has also been attributed to grid spacer spring relaxation.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6104773
• Report Number(s): CONF-830609-31; ON: DE83014221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210200* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
RADIATION DETECTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR INSTRUMENTATION
REACTOR NOISE
REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS