In Core Self-powered Neutron Detector

- Kandarp Mehta

Neutron detectors are used to measure neutron density in reactor core, and that will be useful for
knowing power density because power density is directly proportional to neutron density.
The power density at the point r is defined as

Neutrons have mass but no electric charge, so neutrons are detected through nuclear reactions
that create alpha particle, proton etc.

In-core neutron detector: [Self-powered Hilborn Neutron Detector]

Principle components:
Emitter material
collector material
Insulator
Operation:
Either neutron or gamma rays interacts with emitter, and eject electron from emitter
Electrons penetrate to insulator with sufficient energy, and strike the collector
This charge flow from emitter to collector represents a current [measured by a current
measuring device]

Design Requirements:
The neutron detectors used in a typical thermal nuclear reactor must satisfy the following requirements:
fast response
monitoring over a wide range from low to high power
monitor the rate of increase of neutron power at all power levels
accurate power measurements at high power
control of spatial power distribution on medium & high power levels.
SDS instruments must be able to limit peak local power (channel or bundle powers and high rate with
power increase)
RRS signals must represent average power in the regulated region.

Design:
Cylindrical Geometry: The diameter is small, and that permits it in the core.
Different emitter materials: Vanadium, Rhodium, Cobalt for development of their response time and
burn-up property
Choice of emitter material: appropriate capture cross-section, capable of high energy beta rays
production
Vanadium detectors have a prompt gamma ray response that is generally a few percentage points of
the neutron response component of the signal. The ratio of prompt to delayed signal in commercial
vanadium detectors is reported to be about 6.5%.

Advantages:
Self-powered
Flux mapping
Size
Low cost
Simple electronics

Disadvantages:
Low level of output current
A relatively severe sensitivity of the output current to changes in the neutron energy spectrum
Slow response time

Reference:
https://canteach.candu.org

Thank you