Subcritical nuclear systems and their stability against changes in the geometrical set-up

Abstract

Abstract A specific subcritical reactor system has been suggested and the stability of its parameters against small changes in the geometrical set-up has been estimated using the model calculation code DCM/CEM from Dubna. The dimensions of the system are 200 cm in diameter and 170 cm in length and it supplies a thermal power of 900 MW with keff =0.943, using a 20 mA proton beam of an energy of 1 GeV. Considering the thermal → electricity power and electricity → beam power conversion efficiencies, the electric power amplification is about 8. Energy deposition and neutron energy distribution in the fission core are also studied. Some properties, such as the heat production per unit volume, are rather similar to modern fast breeders. The neutron multiplication factor keff is very sensitive to small changes in the geometrical set-up within the fission core.