New Calculations on the Second Loading of the Zenith Reactor. Dragon Project Report

Calculations for the second loading of the Zenith reactor are compared with experiments, The latest codes and methods have been used and are briefly described. The calculated reactivity of the cold reactor is in very good agreement with the experiment. The methods of calculation for the control rod effectiveness introduced during this work have led to very satisfactory results. Reactivity temperature coefficients are calculated and a good result is obtained for the core temperature coefficient, The calculated reflector temperature coefficient is less accurate, and so is the calculated effect of graphite fillers. The difference between calculated and measured results are discussed and an estimate of the uncertainty of the reactivity calculation is given. (author)