On measurement and monitoring of reactivity in subcritical reactor systems

Abstract: Accelerator-driven systems have been proposed for incineration of transuranic elements from spent nuclear fuel. For safe operation of such facilities, a robust method for reactivity monitoring is required. Experience has shown that the performance of reactivity measurement methods in terms of accuracy and applicability is highly system dependent. Further investigations are needed to increase the knowledge data bank before applying the methods to an industrial facility and to achieve license to operate such a facility. In this thesis, two systems have been subject to investigation of various reactivity measurement methods. Conditions for successful utilization of the methods are presented, based on the experimental experience. In contrast to previous studies in this field, the reactivity has not only been determined, but also monitored based on the so called beam trip methodology which is applicable also to non-zero power systems. The results of this work constitute a part of the knowledge base for the definition of a validated online reactivity monitoring methodology for facilities currently being under development in Europe (XT-ADS and EFIT).