DETERMINATION OF REACTOR SHUTDOWN MARGIN BY NOISE ANALYSIS.
Abstract
The applicability of two methods of shutdown margin determination were investigated with the Reactivity Test Assembly (RTA) and the Ground Test Reactor (GTR). These methods were the variance-to-mean ratio method and the power spectral density (PSD) method. A comparison of the methods as to accuracy and ease of applicabilitywas made with the RTA. The variance-to-mean ratio may possibly have the greater accuracy; however, this method is difficult to apply. The difficulties generally arise in processing large quantities of data required to determine the variance-to-mean ratio. This type of data handling precludes the possiblity that this method could be used as an on-line monitor. The PSD method was selected and applied to the GTR to determine the shutdown margin. The PSDs of the shutdown signals were determined with a Technical Products 625 wave analyzer and with a Weston-Boonshaft and Fuchs 711-CL analyzer. The agreement between the two PSD determinations was good and indicated that the shutdown margin could be determined to within + or - 10% of the value determined by the standard rod-calibration techniques. The experimental data also compare reasonably well with theoretical data. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0804984
Entities
People
- J. T. Pancoast
Organizations
- General Dynamics