Application of the Source-Jerk method using a neutron generator in a subcritical reactor
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2023.63.0356Keywords:
Source-Jerk method, reactivity measurement, experiment, neutron generator, subcritical reactorAbstract
This paper describes the application of the Source-Jerk method using a neutron generator in the VR-1 reactor. The experiments were carried out on a shutdown reactor with subcriticality greater than -10 βeff. A D-D neutron generator located in the radial channel of the VR-1 reactor was used as an external neutron source for the Source-Jerk method. The obtained results were discussed and compared with a conventional Source-Jerk method used at the VR-1 reactor and with the values calculated by the Serpent 2 code. The presented experimental works and their results will allow to extend the methods of reactivity measurements on the VR-1 reactor. They will also help to optimise reactivity measurements on the new subcritical reactor VR-2, which is currently being commissioned at the Czech Technical University in Prague.
Downloads
References
G. Spriggs, R. A. Pederson. Source-jerk analysis using a semi-explicit inverse kinetic technique. Presented at the DOE Subcritical Reactivity Measurements Workshop 1985. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1056620/m2/1/high_res_d/5147458.pdf
T. Gozani. Subcritical reactor kinetics and reactivity measurements. Ph.D. thesis, ETH Zurich, 1962. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-000087577
J. Rataj, F. Fejt, J. Frýbort, et al. The project of VR-2 subcritical assembly. Nuclear Engineering and Design 386:111578, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2021.111578
J. Mátl. Application of the source-jerk method using a neutron generator at VR-1 reactor. In Proceedings of the European Nuclear Young Generation Forum, pp. 192–195. Kraków, PL. https://enygf.org/new/ENYGF2023%20Book%20of%20Proceedings.pdf?_t=1690963680.
L. Frybortova, J. Rataj, L. Sklenka, et al. The training reactor VR-1 – 30 years of operation. In 2020 21st International Scientific Conference on Electric Power Engineering (EPE), pp. 1–7. IEEE, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1109/EPE51172.2020.9269254
T. Bílý, J. Rataj, O. Huml, O. Chvála. Effect of kinetics parameters on transients calculations in external source driven subcritical VR-1 reactor. Annals of Nuclear Energy 123:97–109, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2018.09.007
J. Leppänen, et al. Serpent – a continuous-energy Monte Carlo reactor physics burnup calculation code. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland 4:455, 2013. [2023-09-18], http://montecarlo.vtt.fi/download/Serpent_manual.pdf.
F. Fejt, P. Suk, J. Frybort, J. Rataj. Utilization of PARCS/Serpent in small-scale reactor – multiplication factor, rod worth, and transient. Annals of Nuclear Energy 166:108757, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2021.108757
O. Novak, L. Sklenka. New scram experimental device at training reactor VR-1. EPJ Web of Conferences 247:08008, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202124708008
International Standard ISO 8529. Neutron reference radiations for calibrating neutron-measuring devices used for radiation protection purposes and for determining their response as a function of neutron energy. ISO/TC 85/SC 2 Radiological protection 1989.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Jan Rataj, Jakub Mátl, Pavel Suk
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
