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Aims :

• The purpose of this course is to investigate how a shut down reactor may be brought to power safely.

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

• Explain the hazard of bringing a shutdown reactor to power without a neutron source.
• Define the subcritical multiplication factor and explain how it is used to calculate the equilibrium neutron level.
• Sketch the curve of neutron flux against time showing the effect of inserting different source strengths into a subcritical reactor, and explain how this relates to reactor design.
• Sketch the curve of neutron flux against time showing the effect of inserting and removing a source from a subcritical reactor.
• Sketch the curve of neutron flux against time showing the approach to criticality by raising control rods in a subcritical reactor with a source.
• Explain how the approach to criticality is plotted in practice.

Course Modules:

Subcritical Reactor Operation Subcritical Operation The Critical Reactor Approach to Criticality with Source Assessment