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Aims :

• To understand how the value for the neutron multiplication constant for a neutron life cycle is determined by the composition and internal structure of a reactor core.

Objectives :
By the end of this course the student will be able to:

• State what is meant by the term infinite multiplication constant and name the factors which affect its value.
• Identify the material which captures neutrons during the slowing down process and the material which captures neutrons at thermal energies.
• Explain how these losses are affected by the moderator to fuel ratio.
• Recognise the three thermal absorption processes that take place in fuel.
• State how variation in enrichment of the fuel affects the thermal fission factor.
• Identify the material as well as the process that gives rise to the 'bonus' fast fission factor.
• State the formula that summarises the processes of the neutron life cycle, in terms of the four factors that describe each process.
• State the effects of the moderator-to-fuel ratio (Nm/Nf) and fuel enrichment.
• Differentiate between the terms homogeneous and heterogeneous.
• Explain how the infinite multiplication constant is increased in the heterogeneous core giving the reason for the improvement.

Course Modules:

Introduction The neutron life cycle The four factor formula Summary of the effects of reactor composition on K Homogeneous and heterogeneous reactors Assessment