Another new term has been introduced in the reactor period () equation. That term is _eff (pronounced lambda effective), the effective delayed neutron precursor decay constant. The decay rate for a given delayed neutron precursor can be expressed as the product of precursor concentration and the decay constant () of that precursor. The decay constant of a precursor is simply the fraction of an initial number of the precursor atoms that decays in a given unit time. A decay constant of 0.1 sec^-1, for example, implies that one-tenth, or ten percent, of a sample of precursor atoms decays within one second. The value for the effective delayed neutron precursor decay constant, _eff, varies depending upon the balance existing between the concentrations of the precursor groups and the nuclide(s) being used as the fuel.

If the reactor is operating at a constant power, all the precursor groups reach an equilibrium value. During an up-power transient, however, the shorter-lived precursors decaying at any given instant were born at a higher power level (or flux level) than the longer-lived precursors decaying at the same instant. There is, therefore, proportionately more of the shorter-lived and fewer of the longer-lived precursors decaying at that given instant than there are at constant power. The value of _eff is closer to that of the shorter-lived precursors.

During a down-power transient the longer-lived precursors become more significant. The longer-lived precursors decaying at a given instant were born at a higher power level (or flux level) than the shorter-lived precursors decaying at that instant. Therefore, proportionately more of the longer-lived precursors are decaying at that instant, and the value of _eff approaches the values of the longer-lived precursors.

Approximate values for _eff are 0.08 sec^-1 for steady-state operation, 0.1 set for a power increase, and 0.05 see^-1 for a power decrease. The exact values will depend upon the materials used for fuel and the value of the reactivity of the reactor core.

Returning now to Equation (4-7) for reactor period.

If the positive reactivity added is less than the value of , the emission of prompt fission neutrons alone is not sufficient to overcome losses to non-fission absorption and leakage. If delayed neutrons were not being produced, the neutron population would decrease as long as the reactivity of the core has a value less than the effective delayed neutron fraction. The positive reactivity insertion is followed immediately by a small immediate power increase called the prompt jump. This power increase occurs because the rate of production of prompt neutrons changes abruptly as the reactivity is added. Recall from an earlier module that the generation time for prompt neutrons is on the order of 10^-13 seconds. The effect can be seen in Figure 2. After the prompt jump, the rate of change of power cannot increase any more rapidly than the built-in time delay the precursor half-lives allow. Therefore, the power rise is controllable, and the reactor can be operated safely.

Figure 2 Reactor Power Response to Positive Reactivity Addition

Conversely, in the case where negative reactivity is added to the core there will be a prompt drop in reactor power. The prompt drop is the small immediate decrease in reactor power caused by the negative reactivity addition. The prompt drop is illustrated in Figure 3. After the prompt drop, the rate of change of power slows and approaches the rate determined by the delayed term of Equation (4-7).

Figure 3 Reactor Power Response to Negative Reactivity Addition