Abstract
An episode of increase and decrease of low frequency neutron noise in a German KWU built Vor-Konvoi PWR is reviewed. Since the beginning of the episode many research and development projects were started searching for a root-cause explanation. The hypothesis that fuel assembly mechanical design can be a factor in the observed phenomenon has been strengthened but not proved. To-date the empirical correlation between the number of a certain class of fuel assembly type and the noise level is the best experimental support for this hypothesis. Given the complexity of the underlying phenomena many more advances in coupling neutronic, fluid-dynamic and structural dynamics codes are necessary to yield a first-principles explanation.
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