Location
Comstock Memorial Union, MSUM
Document Type
Poster
Event Website
https://www.mnstate.edu/sac/
Start Date
15-4-2025 12:00 AM
End Date
15-4-2025 12:00 AM
Publication Date
4-15-2025
Description
Understanding and predicting neutron population in a nuclear reactor is crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants. This project focuses on modeling neutron population using the point reactor kinetics equations, which account for both prompt and delayed neutron contributions to the fission chain reaction. With the one-group approximation and assuming a constant reactivity, a simplified first-order separable differential equation is derived to describe the neutron population over time and an analytical solution is obtained, providing insights into nuclear reactor stability. The model's validity is tested against known neutron population data, revealing that while the solution offers a reasonable short-term approximation, it overestimates neutron growth in the long-term. The results show the importance of accurate modeling in reactor physics and highlight the need for further refinements to improve long-term predictions.
Modeling Neutron Population in a Nuclear Reactor Using the Point Reactor Kinetics Equation
Comstock Memorial Union, MSUM
Understanding and predicting neutron population in a nuclear reactor is crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants. This project focuses on modeling neutron population using the point reactor kinetics equations, which account for both prompt and delayed neutron contributions to the fission chain reaction. With the one-group approximation and assuming a constant reactivity, a simplified first-order separable differential equation is derived to describe the neutron population over time and an analytical solution is obtained, providing insights into nuclear reactor stability. The model's validity is tested against known neutron population data, revealing that while the solution offers a reasonable short-term approximation, it overestimates neutron growth in the long-term. The results show the importance of accurate modeling in reactor physics and highlight the need for further refinements to improve long-term predictions.
https://red.mnstate.edu/sac/2025/cbac/13