Moderator Temeprature Coefficient of Raactivity in Pressurized Water Reactors: Theoretical Investigation and Numerical Simulations

摘要

Estimation of the moderator temeprature coefficient (MTC) of reactivity of pressurized water reactos by noise analysis is investigated, both theoreticaly and through numericla simulations. It is found that using local neutron signals, all estimators of MTC will underestimate the actual MTC value, as indeed is obseved in all measurements reproted in the ltierature. Howebver, the relative deviation from the actual MTC vlaue remains practically constant over a wide range of MTC values. This suggests that it is possible to calibrate the estimate at the beginning of the fuel cylce and then use this calibration until the end of the fuel cycle.