Conversion in a Two-Region Reactor,

Abstract

Calculations were performed by two group methods to determine the critical concentration, neutron balance and conversion ratio in a two-region reactor. The reactor had the following geometry: a four foot diameter spherical core of uranyl sulfate dissolved in heavy water is contained in a shell of stainless steel surrounded by a two foot thick spherical blanket containing thorium and heavy water. Two stainless steel core shells, 1/8 inch thick and 1/4 inch thick were considered. For each core shell, three concentrations of thorium were supposed: 1000 g thorium per liter (as a slurry of thorium oxide), 4218 grams thorium per liter (as pellets of thorium oxide), and 7000 grams of thorium per liter (as spheres of thorium metal). For calculation purposes the thorium distribution was considered homogeneous in all cases. Further, it was assumed that the reactor was free of poisons and that no multiplication occurred in the blanket. Thus, the only materials considered present were uranyl sulfate, heavy water, stainless steel, and thorium (as oxide or metal). A complete tabulation of results is presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 16, 1953
Accession Number
ADA297387

Entities

People

  • M. Tobias
  • P. N. Haubenreich
  • R. E. Aven

Organizations

  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Absorption Cross Sections
  • Classified Materials
  • Coefficients
  • Conversion
  • Conversion Ratio
  • Differential Equations
  • Diffusion Coefficient
  • Equations
  • Fast Neutrons
  • Heavy Water
  • Neutrons
  • Resonance Escape Probability
  • Stainless Steel
  • Thermal Neutrons
  • Thickness
  • United States

Readers

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.