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Title: Safety and Control of Accelerator-Driven Subcritical Systems

Conference · · AIP Conference Proceedings
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.49149· OSTI ID:106876
 [1];  [2]
  1. Commission of the European Communities, Ispra (Italy)
  2. Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

To study control and safety of accelerator driven nuclear systems, a one-point kinetic model was developed and programed. It deals with fast transients as a function of reactivity insertion. Doppler feedback, and the intensity of an external neutron source. The model allows for a simultaneous calculation of an equivalent critical reactor. It was validated by a comparison with a benchmark specified by the Nuclear Energy Agency Committee of Reactor Physics. Additional features are the possibility of inserting a linear or quadratic time dependent reactivity ramp which may account for gravity induced accidents like earthquakes, the possibility to shut down the external neutron source by an exponential decay law of the form exp(-t/$$\tau$$), and a graphical display of the power and reactivity changes. The calculations revealed that such boosters behave quite benignly even if they are only slightly subcritical.

Research Organization:
Commission of the European Communities, Ispra (Italy); Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
106876
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-95-1792; CONF-9407103-; ON: DE95014018; TRN: 95:006680-0013
Journal Information:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 346; Conference: International Conference on Accelerator-Driven Transmutation Technologies and Applications, Las Vegas, NV (United States), 25-29 Jul 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1995]; Related Information: Is Part Of AIP conference on accelerator driven transmutation technologies and applications, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 25-29, 1994; Schriber, S.O.; Arthur, E.; Rodriguez, A.A.; PB: 958 p.; ISSN 0094-243X
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English