NUEN 301 Lecture 5: 5.ChainReactions-withblanks
4 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
We know that neutron production and loss rates determine the behavior of a nuclear reactor. In this chapter we introduce some terms that help us describe production rates, loss rates, and how well they are balanced. Suppose we could remove all the neutrons from a source-free reactor, then initiate exactly enough. Some neutrons in any given generation will cause ssion. Ssions are de ned to consitute the next generation. We introduce a common de nition of the multiplication factor: k = multiplication factor. # of neutrons in the previous generation (5. 1) Then we de ne: k < 1 k = 1 k > 1. Another common de nition of multiplication factor is: k = production rate of neutrons loss rate of neutrons. Now that we have de ned k, we note that these de nitions are wrong unless the neutrons are in their fundamental mode (fundamental distribution) for the reactor in question.
