Open AccessThe influence of neutron reflector with special properties on fast reactor kinetics
Author(s) -
Anna Sergeevna Kudriavtseva,
А. Н. Шмелев
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/1689/1/012066
Subject(s) - reflector (photography) , neutron , nuclear engineering , delayed neutron , neutron cross section , neutron poison , fission , nuclear physics , control rod , materials science , nuclear reactor core , isotope , neutron flux , neutron temperature , neutron source , physics , optics , engineering , light source
The paper substantiates the possibility of increasing the safety of fast reactors by surrounding the reactor core with a neutron reflector with special properties. The particular case of using lead isotope as a neutron reflector has been considered in the lead-cooled fast reactor in an exemplary manner. An asymptotic point kinetics model, which takes into account neutrons returning from the reflector to the reactor core and participating in the development of fission chain reaction, was proposed for assessment of the emerging effects. The in-hour equation for fast reactors, surrounded by a neutron reflector with special properties, has been developed. It was revealed that the neutron lifetime can be substantially increased. Therefore, the contribution of the neutron reflector would mitigate the consequences of accidents when inserted reactivity exceeds the effective fraction of delayed neutron. In addition, the maximum rates of power increase have been calculated for different cases of reactivity insertion. The obtained results have considerable practical value for scientific and advanced studies of reactor accidents.