Equation of Continuity

Net flow
fl off neutrons per second d per unit i area normall
to the x direction:
r r r
J • xˆ = J x = ∫ n(r , ω )v cos θ x dΩ
r 4π
In ge e a J • nˆ = J n
general:
Equation of Continuity
∂ r r r r r r ±
∫
∂t ∀
n(r , t )d∀ = ∫ S (r , t )d∀ − ∫ ∑ a (r )φ (r , t )d∀ − ∫ J (r , t ) • nˆ dA
∀ ∀ A

Rate of change in Production Absorption “Leakage

number of rate rate in/out” rate
neutrons Normal to A
Volume Source Surface
(outwards)
distribution area
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009
(Saed Dababneh). function bounding ∀ 1
 Equation of Continuity
r r r r 3
Using Gauss’ Divergence Theorem ∫ B • dA = ∫ ∇ • Bd r
Recall: S V
∫ E ⋅d A = ε r r r r r
Q

∫ J (r , t ) • nˆdA = ∫ ∇ •J (r , t )d∀
S 0

∇ ⋅ E = ερ0 A ∀
∂ r r r r r r
∫
∂t ∀
n(r , t )d∀ = ∫ S (r , t )d∀ − ∫ ∑ a (r )φ (r , t )d∀ − ∫ J (r , t ) • nˆ dA
∀ ∀ A
Both flux and current!!
T Convert current to flux?

1 ∂ r r r r r r r
φ (r , t ) = S (r , t ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r , t ) − ∇ • J (r , t )
v ∂t

Equation of Continuity
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 2
(Saed Dababneh).
 Equation of Continuity
Steady state

r r r r r r
S (r ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r ) − ∇ • J (r ) = 0

Non-spacial dependence

∂
n(t ) = S (t ) − ∑ a φ (t )
∂t
Delayed sources?
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 3
(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law

• The exact interpretation of neutron transport in

heterogeneous domains is so complex.
• Assumptions and approximations.
approximations
• Simplified approaches.
• Simplified but accurate enough to give an estimate of
the average characteristics of neutron population.
population
• Numerical solutions.
• Monte Carlo techniques.

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 4

(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law
Assumptions:
1. The medium is infinite. r
2 The
2. Th medium
di iis uniform
if ∑ not ∑(r )
3. There are no neutron sources in the medium.
4 Scattering is isotropic in the lab coordinate system
4. system.
5. The neutron flux is a slowly varying function of
p
position.
6. The neutron flux is not a function of time.

http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/0143-0807/26/5/023/ejp5_5_023.pdf
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 5
(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law

Lamarsh puts it more bluntly:

“Fick’s
Fick s Law is invalid:
a) in a medium that strongly absorbs neutrons;
b) within three mean free paths of either a neutron
source or the surface of a material; and
c) when neutron scattering is strongly anisotropic.”

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 6

(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 7

(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law
• Diffusion:
Diff i random
d walk
lk offφ (x) Negative Flux Gradient
an ensemble of particles Current Jx
from region of high
“concentration” to region High flux
of small
o s a “concentration”.
co ce t at o
• Flow is proportional to More collisions
the negative gradient of Low flux
the “concentration”.
Less collisions
Recall:
• From larger flux to smaller flux! x
• Neutrons are not pushed! ∂φ
• More scattering in one direction J x = −D
than in the other. ∂x
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 8
(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law
z Number
N b off neutrons scattered
d per
second from d∀ at r and going
d∀ through dAz
r cos θdAz −Σt r
θ ∑ s φ (r ) e d ∀
dAz
r 4πr 2

Removed
y en route
φ r
∑ s not ∑ s (r )
(assuming no
buildup)

x Slowly varying
Isotropic

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 9

(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 10

(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law
HW 14
2π π / 2 ∞
Σ s dAz r −Σt r
∫φ θ∫ ∫ φ (r )e [cosθ sin d dθdφ ]
i θdrd
−
J dAz =
4π
z
=0 =0 r =0
+
J z dAz = ?
⎛ ∑ s ⎞⎛ ∂φ ⎞
and show that J z = J − J = −⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎜
+ −

⎝ 3Σ t ⎠⎝ ∂z ⎠ 0
z z
1
D≈
3Σ s
r ∑s
li J = − D∇φ coefficient D =
Diffusion
and
d generalize
3Σ t 2
Total removal
The current density is proportional to the negative of the gradient
of the neutron flux.
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 11
(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law
Validity:
1. The medium is infinite. Integration over all space.
e − ∑t r X after
ft few
f mean free
f pathsth X 0 X
corrections at the surface are still required.
r
uniform. ∑ s not ∑ s (r )
2 The rmedium is uniform
2.
∑ s (r ) X φ and Σ are functions of space X re-
derivation of Fick’s law? X locally g Σs X extra
y larger
J cancelled by e − ∑ t r = e − ( ∑ a + ∑ s ) r iff ??? HW 15
Note: assumption 5 is also violated!
3 Th
3. There are no neutron sources iin the h medium.
di
Again, sources are few mean free paths away and
corrections otherwise
otherwise.
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 12
(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law
4. Scattering is isotropic in the lab. coordinate system.
2
If µ = cos (θ ) = ≠ 0 X reevaluate D. HW 16
3A
1 1 λtr • Isotropic Σtr = Σt.
D= = =
3(∑ t − ∑ s µ ) 3 ∑ tr 3 • Weekly absorbing Σt = Σs.

λs Recall:

For “practical”
p moderators: λtr ≅ µ = cos(θ ) =
2
1− µ 3A

5. The flux is a slowly varying function of position.

Σa ↑ X variation
i i iin φ ↑.
↑
∂ 2φ r
∂r 2
(r ) ?
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 13
(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law
HW 17
Estimate the diffusion coefficient of graphite at 1 eV.
The scattering cross section of carbon at 1 eV is 4.8 b.

Scattering Other
materials?

Absorption

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 14

(Saed Dababneh).
 Fick’s Law
6 Th
6. The neutron flflux iis not a ffunction
i off time.
i
Time needed for a thermal neutron to traverse 3
mean free paths ∼ 1 x 10-55 s (How?).
(How?)
If flux changes by 10% per second!
∆φ ∆φ / φ
= 1µs = 0.1x1x10 −5 = 1x10 −6
φ 10 µs
1s
Very small fractional change during the time
needed for the neutron to travel this “significant”
distance.
distance
r
J ≅ − D∇φ
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 15
(Saed Dababneh).
 Back to the Continuity Equation

1 ∂ r r r r r r r
φ (r , t ) = S (r , t ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r , t ) − ∇ • J (r , t )
v ∂t
T

1 ∂ r r r r r r r
φ (r , t ) = S (r , t ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r , t ) + ∇ • D∇φ (r , t )
v ∂t

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 16

(Saed Dababneh).
 The Diffusion Equation
1 ∂ r r r r r r r
φ (r , t ) = S (r , t ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r , t ) + ∇ • D∇φ (r , t )
v ∂t
If D is independent of r (uniform medium)
Laplacian
1 ∂ r r r r r
φ (r , t ) = S (r , t ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r , t ) + D∇ φ (r , t )
2

v ∂t
or scalar Helmholtz equation.
r r r r
0 = S (r ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r ) + D∇ φ (r )
2

r r r
0 = − ∑ a (r )φ (r ) + D∇ φ (r )
2
Buckling equation.

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 17

(Saed Dababneh).
 Steady State Diffusion Equation
r r r r
0 = S (r ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r ) + D∇ φ (r )
2

D L ≡ Diffusion Length
Define L =
2

∑a L2 ≡ Diffusion Area
Moderation Length
T
1 S
∇ φ− 2φ =−
2

L D

1
∇ φ− 2φ =0
2

L
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 18
(Saed Dababneh).
 The Diffusion Equation

• The exact interpretation of neutron transport in

heterogeneous domains is so complex.
• Assumptions and approximations.
approximations
• Simplified approaches.
• Simplified but accurate enough to give an estimate of
the average characteristics of neutron population.
population
• Numerical solutions.
• Monte Carlo techniques.

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 19

(Saed Dababneh).
 Steady State Diffusion Equation
r r r r
0 = S (r ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r ) + D∇ φ (r )
2

1 S
∇ φ− 2φ =−
2

L D
Boundary
y Conditions
• Solve DE X get φ.
• Solution must satisfy BC’s.
BC s.
• Solution should be real and non-negative.

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 20

(Saed Dababneh).
 Steady State Diffusion Equation
One--speed neutron diffusion in infinite medium
One
Point source
r 1 r
∇ φ (r ) − 2 φ (r ) = 0
2

L
T
HW 18 2
d 2 d 1
2
φ (r ) + φ (r ) − 2 φ (r ) = 0
dr r dr L
General solution −r / L r/L
e e
φ=A +C
r r
A, C determined from BC’s.
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 21
(Saed Dababneh).
 Steady State Diffusion Equation
BC r → ∞ X φ → 0 X C = 0. HW 18 (continued)
−r / L
e
φ=A
r −r / L
S S e
Show that A = X φ= L2 =
D
4πD 4πD r ∑a

4πr 2 dr ∑ a φ neutrons per second absorbed in the ring.

dr
d
r

r
Show that r = 6L
2 2

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 22

(Saed Dababneh).
 Steady State Diffusion Equation

HW 19
Study example 5.3 and solve problem 5.8 in Lamarsh.

Multiple Point Sources?

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 23

(Saed Dababneh).