Learn about Neutron Diffusion Theory and Point Reactor Kinetics

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We will compare our high-fidelity time-dependent random ray transport approach with point kinetics. It will be useful to at least take a brief look at transport and diffusion, and understand the terms in the equations.

Objectives

• Understand the mathematical basis for neutron diffusion theory
• Understand the mathematical basis for the point reactor equation
• Understand the importance of delayed neutrons and delayed neutron precursors.

Guiding Questions

1. What does each term in the neutron diffusion equation describe?
2. What approximations go in to the point reactor equation? When does it fail?
3. Why are delayed neutrons important for nuclear reactors?

Resources

• Duderstadt and Hamilton Chapter 4 for transport and diffusion overview
• Duderstadt and Hamilton Chapter 6 for kinetics and the point reactor equation