A study of reactivity changes in the AGN-20l reactor using perturbation theory
By: David Alan Sager
Contributors: Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School
Published: 1969
Place of publication: Monterey, California
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Number of pages: 92
Subjects: Polyethylene; Extrapolation; Nuclear reactors; Perturbation (Mathematics); Samarium; Cores; Computer programs
Description: The effects of fuel burnup, fission product poisoning, and hydrogen moderator density variation on reactivity in the AGN-201 reactor are considered. A modified one-group perturbation theory is developed and applied to changes in parameters resulting from a change in hydrogen moderator density. An equation for the reactivity change is obtained for three models: a bare cylindrical core, a bare core using extrapolated dimensions, and a reflected core. These three equations are then used to predict values of the reactivity increase resulting from interchanging in a new 3/4 inch thick fuel disk with comparable fuel disks presently in the core. The results obtained by a digital computer solution of the reactivity equations reveal that the increase in reactivity varies from 0.4392 to 0.7707%, depending upon the core model and position of the old disk within the core. Because the license of the Naval Postgraduate School does not permit a value of excess reactivity above 0.40%, it is concluded that a simple interchange of disks in this manner would produce too large a value of excess reactivity.
Notes: Thesis Advisor(s): Marto, P. J.

"June 1969."

Description based on title screen as viewed on June 2, 2010.

DTIC Descriptor(s):  (Research Reactors, Reactor Reactivity), Reactor Cores, Fuel Burn Up, Fission Product Poisoning, Polyethylene Plastics, Perturbation Theory, Computer Programs, Theses.

Author(s) subject terms: Perturbation, Polyethylene, Fermi Age, Extrapolation, Neutron Temperature, Samarium.

Thesis (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 1069.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 88).

"Approved for public release, distribution unlimited"--Cover.

Also available in print.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

US Navy (USN) author.

daw/ record upgraded 6/2/10