Subcritical Multiplication Summary

REACTOR KINETICS DOE-HDBK-1019/2-93 Reactor Theory (Reactor Operations) NP-04 Rev. 0 Page 10 REACTOR KINETICS The response of neutron flux and reactor power to changes in reactivity is much different in a critical reactor than in a subcritical reactor. The reliance of the chain reaction on delayed neutrons makes the rate of change of reactor power controllable. EO 2.1 DEFINE the following terms: a. Reactor period b. Doubling time c. Reactor startup rate EO 2.2 DESCRIBE the relationship between the delayed neutron fraction, average delayed neutron fraction, and effective delayed neutron fraction. EO 2.3 WRITE the period equation and IDENTIFY each symbol. EO 2.4 Given the reactivity of the core and values for the effective average delayed neutron fraction and decay constant, CALCULATE the reactor period and the startup rate. EO 2.5 Given the initial power level and either the doubling or halving time, CALCULATE the power at any later time. EO 2.6 Given the initial power level and the reactor period, CALCULATE the power at any later time. EO 2.7 EXPLAIN what is meant by the terms prompt drop and prompt jump. EO 2.8 DEFINE the term prompt critical. EO 2.9 DESCRIBE reactor behavior during the prompt critical condition. EO 2.10 EXPLAIN the use of measuring reactivity in units of dollars.