Selecting an experimental volume value in a fast high-flux research reactor

The problem of selecting the main parameters of research reactors intended for conducting investigations on high-power fast reactor design is studied. It is shown that an experimental volume (EV) in a fast high-flux reactor, being a generalized characteristics, effects essentially the reactor power level, core power density, type and density of fuel composition. Sensitivity indexes of these values in respect to EV value is much more than a unit and increases sharply with the EV growth. In a general case, this circumstance leads to the fact that for a given neutron flux there is a definite minimum value of reactor power level when it may be realized at zero EV. Beginning from this power value and below it, the decrease of the neutron flux level is the only mean to maintain the required EV. When the reactor power is limited the only method to achieve required values of neutron flux at given EV is to increase the core power density