A reactor runs continuously at a steady thermal-neutron flux of

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Nuclear Physics · Fission, fusion and nuclear energy · Fission, fusion and nuclear energy

Energy from Physics, Ch Running a reactor: kinetics, heat removal, feedback, burn-up and the fuel cycle

Problem

A reactor runs continuously at a steady thermal-neutron flux of ϕ=1.5×1013 cm−2 s−1\phi = 1.5\times10^{13}\,\mathrm{cm^{-2}\,s^{-1}}. Xenon-135's saturation flux is ϕX=λX/σX=7.9×1012 cm−2 s−1\phi_X = \lambda_X/\sigma_X = 7.9\times10^{12}\,\mathrm{cm^{-2}\,s^{-1}}. The combined iodine and xenon fission yield per neutron released is (γI+γX)/ν(\gamma_I + \gamma_X)/\nu, with γI=6.39%\gamma_I = 6.39\%, γX=0.24%\gamma_X = 0.24\% per fission and ν=2.43\nu = 2.43 neutrons per fission. ((a)) Find the equilibrium xenon reactivity ρXe(ϕ)\rho_{\rm Xe}(\phi) as a percentage. ((b)) Express it in dollars, taking β=0.0065\beta = 0.0065.

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