Two-Group Neutron Diffusion

• Introductory to multi-
multi-group (Hence crude)
crude).
• All neutrons are either in a fast or in a thermal energy
group.
group
• Boundary between two groups is set to ~1 eV.
• Thermal neutrons diffuse in a medium and cause
fission (or are captured) or leak out from the system.
• Source for thermal neutrons is provided by the slowing
d
down off fast
f t neutrons
t (born
(b in
i fission).
fi i )
• Fast neutrons are lost by slowing down due to elastic
scattering in the medium or leak out from the system (or
fission or capture).
• Source for fast neutrons is thermal and fast neutron
fission.
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 1
(Saed Dababneh).
 Two-Group Neutron Diffusion
10 MeV
r r
φ1 (r ) = ∫ φ ( E , r )dE
1eV
Fast

1eV
r r
φ2 (r ) = ∫ φ ( E , r )dE Thermal
0

ν 1 ∑ f 1 φ1 +ν 2 ∑ f 2 φ2
keff =
− D1∇ φ1 − D2∇ φ2 + ∑ a1 φ1 + ∑ a 2 φ2
2 2

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 2

(Saed Dababneh).
 Two-Group Neutron Diffusion
r r r
0 = S1 (r ) − ∑ a1 φ1 (r ) + D1∇ φ1 (r )
2

Fastt diffusion
F diff i
Depends on Removal cross section coefficient
thermal flux. = fission + capture
p +
scattering to group 2
r r r r
0 = ν ∑ f 1 φ1 (r ) +ν ∑ f 2 φ2 (r ) − ∑ a1 φ1 (r ) + D1∇ φ1 (r )
2

or
k∞ r r r
0= ∑ a 2 φ2 (r ) − ∑ a1 φ1 (r ) + D1∇ φ1 (r )
2

ρ
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 3
(Saed Dababneh).
 Two-Group Neutron Diffusion
r r r
0 = S 2 (r ) − ∑ a 2 φ2 (r ) + D2∇ φ2 (r )
2

Thermal absorption Thermal diffusion

Depends on fast cross section = fission coefficient
fl
flux. + capture.
r r r
0 = ∑ s1→2 φ1 (r ) − ∑ a 2 φ2 (r ) + D2∇ φ2 (r )
2

or
r r r
0 = ρ ∑ a1 φ1 (r ) − ∑ a 2 φ2 (r ) + D2∇ φ2 (r )
2

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

(Saed Dababneh).
 Two-Group Neutron Diffusion
k∞ r r r
0= ∑ a 2 φ2 (r ) − ∑ a1 φ1 (r ) + D1∇ φ1 (r )
2

ρ
r r r
0 = ρ ∑ a1 φ1 (r ) − ∑ a 2 φ2 (r ) + D2∇ φ2 (r )
2

• A coupled system of equations; both depend on

both fluxes.
• Recall also, for a steady state system:
r r
∇ φ1 (r ) + B φ1 (r ) = 0
2 2

r r
∇ φ2 ( r ) + B φ2 ( r ) = 0
2 2

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

(Saed Dababneh).
Geometrical 5
 Two-Group Neutron Diffusion
Homogeneous system X Determinant of coefficients matrix = 0
k∞ Review Cramer’s
− ∑ a1 − D1 B 2
∑a2
ρ =0 rule!
ρ ∑ a1 − ∑ a 2 − D2 B 2 Do we need it
here?
k∞
(− ∑ a1 − D1 B )(− ∑ a 2 − D2 B ) −
2 2
∑ a 2 ρ ∑ a1 = 0
ρ
(∑ a1 + D1 B )(∑ a 2 + D2 B ) − k∞ ∑ a 2 ∑ a1 = 0
2 2

1 1 1 1
( 2
+ B )(2
2
+ B ) − k∞
2
2 2
=0
L
Fast L Thermal L
Fast L Thermal

(1 + B 2 L2Fast )(1 + B 2 L2Thermal ) − k∞ = 0

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 6
(Saed Dababneh).
 Two-Group Neutron Diffusion
(1 + B L2 2
Fast )(1 + B L 2 2
Thermal ) − k∞ = 0
k∞
=1
(1 + B LFast )(1 + B LThermal )
2 2 2 2

keff 1 1
=P Fast
non −leak P Thermal
non −leak =
k∞ 2 2
B LThermal +1 B L
2 2
Fast +1
For large reactors
k∞ k∞ − 1
=1⇒ B = 2

1 + B 2 ( L2Fast + LThermal )
2
M2
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 7
(Saed Dababneh).
 Two-Group Neutron Diffusion
If any ↑
M =L 2 2
Thermal +L 2
Fast leakage
↑
↑.
D λtr 1
2
L = = =
∑ a 3 ∑ a 3 ∑ a ∑ tr
Th
Thermal
l

n
Fermii age ≡ L 2
=
3 ∑ s ∑ tr
Fast

• Slowing
Sl i d down d
density.
it
• Fermi model.

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 8

(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
• Before considering multi-group.
• So far we did 1-D.
• Back
B k to
t one
one--group but
b t extend
t d to
t 3-D.
z
φ
HW 21|
For the homogeneous infinite Reactor x
slab
l b reactor,
t extend
t d ththe a/2
criticality condition that you a /2 a
0
found in HW 21 21. d d
k∞ − 1 ν ∑ f − ∑ a
2
⎛π ⎞ 1- D
B = ⎜⎜ ⎟ = Bm = 2 =
2
g
2

⎝ a0 ⎠ L D
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 9
(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
• In
I 3-D
3D ν ∑ f − ∑a
D
d φ ( x)
2 ∂φ ∂φ ∂φ 2 2 2

+ B φ ( x) = 0 X
2 + + + B 2
φ =0
dx 2 ∂x 2
∂y 2
∂z 2

φ = φ0 cos Bxx X φ = φ0 cos Bx x cos B y y cos Bz z

k∞ − 1 ν ∑ f − ∑ a
2
⎛π ⎞
B = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = Bm = 2 =
2
g
2
X
⎝ 0⎠
a L D
k∞ − 1 ν ∑ f − ∑ a
2 2 2
⎛π ⎞ ⎛π ⎞ ⎛π ⎞
Bg = Bx + B y + Bz = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = Bm = 2 =
2 2 2 2 2

⎝ a0 ⎠ ⎝ b0 ⎠ ⎝ c0 ⎠ L D

Critical dimensions (size), for the given material

properties predicted by the model
properties, model.
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 10
(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
• Transient
T i t case.
t!
1 ∂ r r r r r r r r
φ (r , t ) = S (r , t ) − ∑ a (r )φ (r , t ) + ∇ • D(r )∇φ (r , t )
v ∂t
t! ∑ afuel = ∑ fuel
f + ∑ γ
fuel

Moderator, structure,
coolant, fuel, …
• Delayed neutrons!!
• Reflectors!!
• For homogeneous 1-D:
1 D:
1 ∂ ∂ 2
φ ( x, t ) = S ( x, t ) − ∑ a φ ( x, t ) + D 2 φ ( x, t )
v ∂t ∂x
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009
(Saed Dababneh).
ν ∑ f φ ( x, t ) 11
 Reactor Model: One-Group
1 ∂ ∂ 2
φ ( x, t ) = ν ∑ f φ ( x, t ) − ∑ a φ ( x, t ) + D 2 φ ( x, t )
v ∂t ∂x
HW 25
Separation of variables: φ ( x, t ) = ψ ( x)T (t )
1 ∂T ∂ 2ψ
ψ = ν ∑ f ψT − ∑ a ψT + DT 2
v ∂t ∂x
1 ∂T v ⎡ ∂ ψ
2
⎤
= ⎢ D 2 + (ν ∑ f − ∑ a )ψ ⎥ ≡ −λ = constant
T ∂t ψ ⎣ ∂x ⎦ = 0 for steady state.
− λt
Sh
Show th t T (t ) = T (0)e
that , λ = v(∑ a + DB 2 −ν ∑ f )
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 12
(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
HW 25 (continued) 2
a0 ⎛ nπ ⎞
φ (± ) = 0 tryy ψ n ( x) = cos Bn x B = ⎜⎜
2
n
2 ⎝ a0 ⎠
eigenvalues
g λn = v ( ∑ a + DBn −ν ∑ f )
2

? ⎛ nπx ⎞
Solution φ ( x, t ) = ∑ n
−λ t
A e cos⎜
n
⎜ a ⎟
n odd ⎝ 0 ⎠
?
⎛ nπx ⎞
Initial condition φ ( x,0) = ∑ An cos⎜⎜
n odd ⎝ a0 ⎠
2 + a20 ⎛ nπx ⎞
Show that An = ∫− a0 φ ( x,0) cos⎜⎜ dx
a0 2 ⎝ a0 ⎠
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 13
(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
2
⎛ nπ ⎞
B = ⎜⎜
2
n
⎟⎟ X B12 < B32 < B52 < ...
⎝ a0 ⎠
λn = v(∑ a + DB −ν ∑ f ) X λ12 < λ32 < λ52 < ...
2
n

λ1 = v(∑ a + DB12 −ν ∑ f ) Slowest decaying eigenvalue.

T

− λ1t ⎛ πx ⎞ − λ1t
φ ( x, t ) ≅ A1e ⎜
cos⎜ ⎟ = A1e cos B1 x
⎝ a0 ⎠
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 14
(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
For steady state λ1 = v(∑ a + DB −ν ∑ f ) = 0
1
2

T
ν ∑ f − ∑a
Criticality B =B =
1
2 2
g ≡ Bm2 λ1 = 0
D

Super
p criticality
y Bg2 < Bm2 LE ↓ λ1 < 0

Sub criticality Bg2 > Bm2 LE ↑ λ1 > 0

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 15

(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
• That
Th was for f the
h bareb slab
l b reactor.
• What about more general bare reactor models?
1 ∂ r r r r r r r r
φ ( r , t ) = S ( r , t ) − ∑ a ( r )φ ( r , t ) + ∇ • D ( r ) ∇ φ ( r , t )
v ∂t
• For steady state, homogeneous model:
r ν ∑ f − ∑a r r k∞ − 1 r
∇ φ (r , t ) +
2
φ (r , t ) = ∇ φ (r , t ) + 2 φ (r , t ) = 0
2

D L
• BC: φ(extrapolated
( t l t d boundary)
b d ) = 0.
0

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

(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
• R0, H0 are the
th extrapolated
t l t d dimensions.
di i
1 ∂ ⎛ ∂φ ⎞ ∂ φ 2
⎜r + 2 +B φ =0
2
R
r ∂r ⎝ dr ⎠ dz
• BC’s:
Cs z
φ ( R0 , z ) = 0 H
y
φ ( r ,± H0
)=0 x
2 θ r
• Let
φ ( r , z ) = ℜ( r ) Ζ ( z ) Reactor
HW 26 Bessel cos
• Solve the problem and discuss criticality condition.
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 17
(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
• Briefly, we go through HW 26.
R
1 ∂ ⎛ ∂φ ⎞ ∂ 2φ
⎜ r + + B 2
φ =0
r ∂r ⎝ dr ⎠ dz 2
z
φ ( r , z ) = ℜ( r ) Ζ ( z ) H
d ⎛ dℜ ⎞ y
⎜r ⎟ +α ℜ = 0
2

dr ⎝ dr ⎠ x
θ r
d 2Ζ πz
2
+ λ Ζ = 0 ⇒ Ζ = cos λz = cos
2
Reactor
dz H0

ℜ = AJ 0 (αr ) + CY0 (αr )

Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 18
(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group

x → 0 ⇒ Yn ( x) → −∞ ⇒ C = 0
J 0 (2.4048) = 0 ⇒ 2.4048 = αR0
Nuclear Reactors, BAU, 1st Semester, 2008-2009 19
(Saed Dababneh).
 Reactor Model: One-Group
2.4048r πz R
φ = A( P,...) J 0 ( ) cos
R0 H0
z
φ y
H
x
θ r
R
Reactor
t

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

(Saed Dababneh).