Evaluation and validation of external neutron source strength of operating Fast Breeder Test Reactor

•The external neutron source strength of an operating fast test reactor is estimated.•The entire history of the operating modes of reactor is considered for the study.•The theoretically estimated source strength is validated experimentally.•The experiment ensured that inherent neutron source strengt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear engineering and design 2021-02, Vol.372, p.110992, Article 110992
Main Authors: Hanna Stephen, Neethu, Reddy, C.P., Raghukumar, G., Dinesh, K., Suresh Kumar, K.V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breeder reactors
Carbide fuels
Detectors
Fast breeder
FBTR
Irradiation
Neutron flux
Neutrons
Nuclear fuels
Reactors
Sensors
Source strength
Strength
Subassemblies
Test facilities
Test reactor
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Summary:•The external neutron source strength of an operating fast test reactor is estimated.•The entire history of the operating modes of reactor is considered for the study.•The theoretically estimated source strength is validated experimentally.•The experiment ensured that inherent neutron source strength is not amplified. Fast Breeder Test Reactor is one of the high flux operating test facility in India. The study aims to find out the source strength of the neutron source subassembly during its residence time in the reactor core and its contribution to the observed count rates in the startup neutronic channels which are ex-core 235U coated fission detectors. The entire power history during various fuel irradiation campaigns was considered in the calculation of neutron source strength. The study is experimentally validated by shifting the external neutron source subassembly to an elevated position in the subcritical core. The experiment is devised in such a way that inherent neutron source strength is not amplified and the count rates obtained in the detectors will be solely from the external neutron source. The count rates observed during the experiment at the ex-core detectors are compared with the simulated count rates during the lifted position of the source subassembly and found to be in good agreement.
ISSN:0029-5493
1872-759X
DOI:10.1016/j.nucengdes.2020.110992