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International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 3, September 2014
doi: 10.14355/ijnese.2014.0403.02

The Introduction to the Solution Method of

Thermal Neutron Effective Proliferation
Coefficient of Any Point in the
Non-uniformity Dispersion Reactor with
Non-uniformity Dispersion Source Neutrons
Deqiang Pei
Nuclear Island Branch of Engineering Department of Tai Shan Nuclear Power Joint-Limited Company (A-212 01
Building on Site), Tai Shan city Guang Dong Province Peoples Republic of China
peideqiang@cgnpc.com.cn
Abstract:
The quation k eff keff (1 0 / ) =1 is valid in any point of
'

balance of generation and disappearence of thermal

fission thermal neutrons in the reactor.

non-uniformity stable reactor (See reference), the

distribution of 0 in the above equation could be

However,
after
source
disappearence( 0 2c / Pd ),

calculated by special program. Therefore, in order to get

the distribution of flux of thermal fission thermal

thermal
fission
thermal
neutrons
as
the
parameter: 0 2c f PPs . These neutrons participate

neutrons in the reactor, that is to say, the power

distribution in the reactor, we need to get the value of
keff in any point of non-uniformity stable reactor. The

in the process of the generation and disappearence

balance of thermal fission thermal neutrons in every
point in the reactor. The generating rates of these
neutrons with the rates of generation and
disappearence of thermal neutron generated by
thermal fission thermal neutron in the reactor both
influence the changes of thermal fission thermal
neutron flux in the reactor and the change of the
'
value of keff
.

paper introduces the theoretical method to get the value of

keff in any point of the reactor, and prove the correctness
and effectiveness of the method.
Key Word:

keff ; Nuclear Reactor; The Distribution Of Flux Of Thermal

Fission Thermal Neutrons

Introduction
We know that neutrons in the reactor can be divided
into source neutrons and thermal fission neutrons.
Thermal neutrons in the reactor could be divided
into source thermal neutrons and thermal fission
thermal neutrons too. We suppose we induce source
neutrons that release the number S of fast neutrons at
same point every second; the flux of source thermal
neutrons is 0 .Then, at that point, source thermal
neutrons generating rate is S PPs , disappearing rate
is 0 2c / Pd . They generate when they are produced,
and disappear when they dont exist. They all
disappear after being generated. The generation and
disappearence dont have any influence on the

70

thermal
neutrons
they will generate

As for non-uniformity or uniformity reactor, only

when the generation and disappearence balance of
every point in the reactor is stable, then the thermal
fission is in balance and stable for the whole reactor.
But in the uniformity reactor with the
equation keff 1 , the flux is stable if we use some
method to make everywhere take fission reaction.
But after being operation for a while, and because the
neutrons flux in every point of the reactor has a
non-horizontal distribution, the burning depletion of
every point is different. The reactor becomes
non-uniformity reactor. At the moment by regulating
the density of Boron, we cant make the equation
keff 1 established everywhere in the reactor. If we
make

keff 1 at somewhere in the reactor by

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 3, September 2014

regulating the density of Boron, the neutrons flux in

the reactor here will continue to rise, and cant be
stable. Therefore, in the stable reactor, it is impossible
that the equation keff 1 comes into existence. If
keff 1 at some point in the reactor, there are
keff 1 at other points. As for keff 1 , it is essential to

introduce source neutrons in the reactor, in order to

make the reactor operate stably. But after introducing
source neutrons in the reactor, neutrons flux will
increase linearly at the point with the
equation keff 1 . So that it cant be stable. So in the
non-uniformity reactor, in order to maintain operate
stably, all the values of keff of every point in the
reactor must be below than one. Although the reactor
operate with the one hundred percent power, the
reactor only operate stably after introducing source
neutrons in sub-critical condition when keff 1 at
every point in the reactor.
When the reactor operate stably, the equation
k 'eff keff (1 0 / ) 1 come into existence at every
point in the reactor (See reference ). The values
of 0 , which is the source neutrons flux can be
calculated by special program. So if we want to
calculate the thermal fission thermal neutrons
flux and the powers at every point in the reactor,
we need to get the value keff at every point in the
reactor.
The Theoretical Solution to Solving the
Value Of keff
As for non-uniformity reactor, if the reactor is in
stable and balanced condition, every point in the
reactor is also in stable and balanced condition. At
this moment, every point in the reactor takes nuclear
reaction only according to the parameter of the point,
and takes part in the neutrons balance of the point
and satisfied neutrons balance equation of the point
as equation , . However, the parameter of the
point has no relationship with other points
parameters of surrounding. As the parameter of the
point has no relationship with other points
parameters, if the surrounding points parameters of
the point are the same with the point parameter, so
every point parameter in the reactor is the same with
the point, that is to say the reactor is the
uniformity-reactor, the point still takes nuclear
reaction according to the parameter of the point. So
the value of keff of the non uniformity reactor of the

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point could be calculated as the keff

of

the

uniformity reactor whose size is the same with the

non-uniformity reactor and whose parameter equates
parameter of the point of the non-uniformity reactor.
That is to say in order to get the value of keff of the
non-uniformity reactor of the point, we should get
the value of keff of the uniformity reactor, whose size
is the same with the non-uniformity reactor and
whose parameter equates parameter of the point of
the non-uniformity reactor.
The Proof of the Theoretical Method to
Solve the Value Of keff
The Condition of Uniformity Reactor
As for rectangular coordinate system (See equation
5.30.1 in reference), the cubic volume of small unit
at some point in the reactor is dv dx dy dz . See
figure 1. The leakage has the following relationship
in Z direction. The neutrons flow is J Z dx dy in the
direction into section of dx

and dy . The net

transudation volume is D 2 dv in Z direction
Z
in the unit volume. The neutrons outflow volume
from the unit volume in the Z direction is
J Z dZ dx dy .
2

They have the following relationship.

2
J Z dx dy D 2 dv J Z dZ dx dy
Z

(1)

dx
dz

dy
FIGURE 1

Namely, the neutrons inflowing into the unit volume

from Z direction with the net neutrons transudation
from the unit volume is fully outflowing the unit
volume from the Z direction. All volume of inflow is
fully outflowing the unit, the volume of inflow dont
take part in the nuclear reaction in that unit, and
dont take part in the found of neutron balance
equation for the unit volume (see equation, .)
From the description and analysis of all the

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International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 3, September 2014

directions in the cubic volume dv , we can also get the

above result.
For the pillar coordinate, see figure 2.

is from ri to ri 1 , and thickness is dri ri 1 ri , has a

net thermal
neutrons volume of
inflow
'
D2C J or
2 ri a in internal interface. That volume of
i

inflow and the net thermal neutrons transudation

ri

inflow is fully outflowing the out surface of the

barrel, the volume of inflow dont take part in the
nuclear reaction in the annulus of pillar barrel, whose
radius is from ri to ri 1 , and dont take part in the

FIGURE 2

We suppose that the value of thermal neutrons flux

at
point
in
diameter
direction
is
ri
2.405
J or J o
ri . Its density of thermal neutrons
R

2.405
stream is D2C J or' i D2C J o'
ri . The thermal
R

neutrons flux at ri 1 point in diameter direction

i

2.405

is J or J o
ri 1 . Its density of thermal
R

2.405

neutrons stream is D2C J or' D2C J o'

ri 1 . If
R

we suppose dri is small enough in dri unit, the

i 1

i 1

2.405
thermal neutrons flux in it is J or J o
ri .
R

From reference equation 5.30.1, 5.32.3 and the

above equation , we can get the following
result(see equation (7.58.2) reference I).
i

D2C r J ori1 cos Z dZ 2 rr 1
H

Supposing H H0 2 0.7104i , integrate the above

H H
equation in region 0 , 0 . And supposing
2 2

cos Z dZ a , so equation can be
H

changed to:

'
D2C J or
2 ri a D2C r2 J or ri21 ri2 a
i

'
D2C J or
2 ri 1 a
i 1

That means the annulus of pillar barrel, whose radius

72

found of neutron balance equation in the annulus of

pillar barrel, whose radius is from ri to ri 1 (See
equation, .)
So we can get the result that the net thermal neutrons
volume of outflow of pillar section at radius ri
equate the net thermal neutrons volume of inflow of
pillar section at radius ri 1 plus the net thermal
neutrons transudation volume from radius ri 1 to
radius ri in the annulus of pillar barrel. Further
more, we can get the result that the net thermal
neutrons volume of outflow on the out face of pillar
barrel, with radius dr , equate the transudation
volume of thermal neutrons in pillar barrel with
radius dr . Therefore, the net thermal neutrons
outflow volume of pillar section with radius ri 1
equate the sum of all the points thermal neutrons
transudation volume of pillar barrel with radius ri 1 .
So the net thermal neutrons outflow volume of pillar
section with actual radius R, that is the outflow
volume of thermal neutrons equate the sum of
transudation volume of all point in R directions in
the whole reactor.

D2C r J ori cos Z dZ 2 ri D2C r2
H

2
2
J ori cos Z dZ ri 1 ri
H

flow out from the out surface of the barrel. The

'
outflow volume is D2C J or
2 ri 1 a , All volume of
i 1

H0
2H 0

volume in dri barrel D2C r2 J or ri21 ri2 a , both

ri+1

We can also say the rate of neutrons transudation

volume at every point in uniformity reactor all
outflow out of the reactor. In the process of outflow,
except neutrons participate neutrons balance of the
unit volume (See D2C 22C in equation ), they
dont participate the found of balance equation of
generation and disappearence at every other point
for thermal neutrons (that is equations and ).
Now we see an actual example. For convenience
discussing, we suppose there are not source neutrons
in the reactor at this phase. Supposing at some point
ri hi the physical parameters are as follow:

1C : fast neutrons slowdown section;

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 3, September 2014

2C

thermal neutrons macroscopical absorbing

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diffusing process of neutrons. When keff 1 ,

section;

equation same as 8.40.1 equation reference I.

D2C : thermal neutrons diffuse coefficient;

In fact, D2C 22C only participates the thermal

f: the absorbing effective rate of thermal neutrons in

interior reactor, that is to say, the absorption of fuel
to thermal neutrons make the proportion of the
absorptions of all the materials to thermal neutrons.

neutrons balance at the point. It doesnt influence

the thermal neutrons balance for the next unit
volume. That is to say, after it flows out of the unit
volume, it will flow into the next unit volume with
the transudation volume of next unit volume, finally
it will flow out of the reactor. But it doesnt
participate and influence thermal neutrons balance
and quantity relationship of balance equation in
other unit volumes.

: The average producing amount of neutrons after

the absorption and fission of thermal neutrons.

: considering the modified factor after being

captured from fission of U-238 fast neutrons.
P: considering the modified factor after the resonance
absorption of the slowed process of fast neutrons.

No matter the thermal neutrons flux at every point

in the reactor how to distribute, the net inflow
volume in r direction at the ri surface of the barrel

Ps : The non let out probability in the slowed

'
is D2C J or
2 ri a , and no matter the net inflow
i

process of fast neutrons.

Pd : The non let out probability in the diffusion

process of thermal neutrons.
For fast and thermal neutrons in uniformity reactor.
Supposing the flux for fast neutrons and thermal
neutrons at the point at some moment are 1C
and 2C . Then the balance equation of thermal
neutrons at the point is as the following.
The generating rate of the thermal neutrons which
are produced from fast neutrons during the process
of fast neutrons decelerated to thermal neutrons
district( 1C 1C ) the net transudation rate of
thermal neutrons( D2C 22C ) the disappearing rate
of thermal neutrons( 2C 2C ) The production rate
of thermal neutrons the disappearing rate of
thermal neutrons = the changing rate of the density
of thermal neutrons.
Namely,
D2C 2C 2C 2C 1C 1C
2

2C 2C f PPS 2C 2C / Pd
Also namely,
D2C 22C 2C 2C 1C 1C

1 d2C
keff 1
V2 dt

1 d2C
V2 dt

2C 2C
Pd

The above equation is the thermal neutrons balance

equation at some point ri hi in the decelerated and

volume is how large in r direction, the thermal

neutrons and fast neutrons still take nuclear reaction
according to the physical parameters of the point and
the law of equation .
The Condition for Non-Uniformity Reactor
Same as uniformity reactor, the balance equation of
thermal neutrons still satisfy the equation , and
,in any point of non-uniformity reactor. The net
transudation volume is still D2C 22C .The inflow
volume of upstream will fully outflow out the unit
with the net transudation, and don take part in the
nuclear reaction and the found of balance equation of
thermal neutrons in that unit, that is, the fission
reaction is doing as per the parameter of this point,
and is independent of the surrounding physic
parameter in the non uniformity reactor.
Conclusion
The above content already proves any point in the
non-uniformity reactor, no matter the parameters of
surrounding round region are what values, it takes
reaction according to physical parameters at the
point and the law of equations and . So if the
surrounding region has the same material with the
point, that is to say uniformity reactor, it will take
reaction in this way too. Therefore, when we are
considering the thermal neutrons balance equation
of any point in the non-uniformity reactor, we can
take it as uniformity reactor that the parameters is
the parameters of that point of non-uniformity
reactor, and their size equates the size of
non-uniformity reactor. We can study them in using

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International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 3, September 2014

the features of uniformity reactor.

Uniformity Dispersion Source Neutrons. Vol.4.ISS.1 of

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and

REFERENCE

Engineering.
Deqiang Pei Definition and Expression of Thermal
Neutron Effective Proliferation Coefficient in the
Uniformity

74

Dispersion

Nuclear

Reactor

with

S.Glasstone, M.C.Edlund :Atomic Nuclear Reactor Theory

Compendium;