XENONDOE-HDBK-1019/2-93Reactor Theory (Nuclear Parameters)XENONXenon-135 has a tremendous impact on the operation of a nuclear reactor. It isimportant to understand the mechanisms that produce and remove xenon from thereactor to predict how the reactor will respond following changes in power level.EO 4.1LIST two methods of production and two methods of removalfor xenon-135 during reactor operation.EO 4.2STATE the equation for equilibrium xenon-135 concentration.EO 4.3DESCRIBE how equilibrium xenon-135 concentration varieswith reactor power level.EO 4.4DESCRIBE the causes and effects of a xenon oscillation.EO 4.5DESCRIBE how xenon-135 concentration changes following areactor shutdown from steady-state conditions.EO 4.6EXPLAIN the effect that pre-shutdown power levels have onthe xenon-135 concentration after shutdown.EO 4.7STATE the approximate time following a reactor shutdown atwhich the reactor can be considered "xenon free."EO 4.8EXPLAIN what is meant by the following terms:a.Xenon precluded startupb.Xenon dead timeEO 4.9DESCRIBE how xenon-135 concentration changes following anincrease or a decrease in the power level of a reactor.FissionProductPoisonsFission fragments generated at the time of fission decay to produce a variety of fission products.Fission products are of concern in reactors primarily because they become parasitic absorbers ofneutrons and result in long term sources of heat. Although several fission products havesignificant neutron absorption cross sections, xenon-135 and samarium-149 have the mostsubstantial impact on reactor design and operation. Because these two fission product poisonsremove neutrons from the reactor, they will have an impact on the thermal utilization factor and thus keff and reactivity.NP-03Rev. 0Page 34
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
