Analysis Methods for Thermal Research and Test Reactors
HE-3 AND LI-6 POISONING OF THE MARIA REACTOR BERYLLIUM MATRIX
Teresa Kulikowska, Krzysztof Andrzejewski
Institute of Atomic Energy, Swierk, Poland
Manuel M. Bretscher
Argonne National Laboratory, USA
Abstract
This report discusses methods used to evaluate 6Li and 3He poison concentrations, initiated by the 9Be(n,a ) reaction, in the beryllium blocks of the MARIA reactor. The results are based on ENDF/B-VI neutron cross sections, 3D diffusion neutron fluxes, and solutions to the differential equations which describe the time-dependent poison concentrations as function of reactor operation and shutdown periods. MCNP Monte Carlo calculations were used to verify calculated poison levels for observed critical configurations. Previous evaluations used somewhat less refined methods based on asymptotic solutions for the poison concentrations. It was found that 3He and 6Li in the beryllium blocks limit the available excess reactivities and alter flux and power distributions. Based on analyses of critical cores, it was determined that poison concentrations need be evaluated for only an in-core region and for an ex-core region and not for each beryllium block.
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Contact:
Teresa Kulikowska
Institute of Atomic Energy,
05-400 Otwock-Swierk,
Poland
Email: [email protected]