NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
A method for controlling the excess reactivity in a nuclear reactor throughout the core life while maintaining the neutron flux distribution at the desired level is described. The control unit embodies a container having two electrodes of different surface area immersed in an electrolytic solution of a good neutron sbsorbing metal ion such as boron, gadolinium, or cadmium. Initially, the neutron absorber is plated on the larger electrode to control the greater neutron flux of a freshly refueled core. As the fuel burns up, the excess reactivity decreases and the neutron absorber is then plated onto the smaller electrode so that the number of neutrons absorbed also decreases. The excess reactivity in the core may thus be maintained without the introduction of serious perturbations in the neutron flux distributibn.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- OSTI Identifier:
- 4061157
- Patent Number(s):
- 2990353
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission DTIE; NSA-15-023104
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-023104
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- REACTOR TECHNOLOGY; ABSORPTION; BORON; CADMIUM; CONTROL SYSTEMS; DISTRIBUTION; ELECTRODES; ELECTROLYTES; GADOLINIUM; LIFETIME; NEUTRON FLUX; NEUTRONS; PATENT; PLATING; REACTIVITY; REACTORS; SOLUTIONS; SURFACES
Citation Formats
Howard, D.F., and Motta, E.E. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEM. United States: N. p., 1961.
Web.
Howard, D.F., & Motta, E.E. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEM. United States.
Howard, D.F., and Motta, E.E. Tue .
"NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEM". United States.
@article{osti_4061157,
title = {NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEM},
author = {Howard, D.F. and Motta, E.E.},
abstractNote = {A method for controlling the excess reactivity in a nuclear reactor throughout the core life while maintaining the neutron flux distribution at the desired level is described. The control unit embodies a container having two electrodes of different surface area immersed in an electrolytic solution of a good neutron sbsorbing metal ion such as boron, gadolinium, or cadmium. Initially, the neutron absorber is plated on the larger electrode to control the greater neutron flux of a freshly refueled core. As the fuel burns up, the excess reactivity decreases and the neutron absorber is then plated onto the smaller electrode so that the number of neutrons absorbed also decreases. The excess reactivity in the core may thus be maintained without the introduction of serious perturbations in the neutron flux distributibn.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1961},
month = {6}
}