Measurement and analysis of feedback reactivity in the Monju restart core

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a feedback reactivity measurement technique in the Japanese prototype fast breeder reactor Monju and to validate calculation methodology to forecast the nuclear feedback phenomena. A feedback reactivity measurement technique has been developed based on a reactivity model featuring components that depend on the reactivity coefficients, denoted as reactor power (KR) and reactor vessel inlet temperature (Kin). This technique can precisely measure the two reactivity components simultaneously and was applied to the feedback reactivity experiment conducted in the Monju system start-up test in May 2010. A thorough evaluation considering all possible biases and uncertainties demonstrated that the reactivity coefficients can be evaluated with a measurement uncertainty smaller than 3%. The evaluated reactivity coefficients were simulated considering the temperature distribution in the core. The calculated and measured values of KR agreed within 1%, and the value of Kin was consistent with that reported in a previous isothermal temperature coefficient experiment. The measured and calculated fuel subassembly outlet temperatures also agreed well within 0.2°C, which supports the validity of the temperature calculation.