Measurement of breeder factor and reactor power - in a fast reactor

摘要

Determination of breeder factor and reactor power by means of probes consisting of fissile material amalgams distributed in a precise geometric pattern in a fast reactor core. The probes are made as small as possible so as not to impair core parameters and the fissile amalgams may be typically U235 U238 or U233 Pu241 with Th232 and are clad in Nb Th or Cr to ensure maximum fast neutron capture. Use of fissile amalgams ensures a greater number of fast neutrons of different resonant frequencies will be captured and thus a more representative and effective measure of breeder factor adn reactor power will be obtained by monitoring of particle emissions when the probes are retrieved from the core after discrete time intervals.