Analysis of prompt supercritical process with heat transfer and temperature feedback

The prompt supercritical process of a nuclear reactor with temperature feedback and initial power as well as heat transfer with a big step reactivity (ρ0>β) is analyzed in this paper. Considering the effect of heat transfer on temperature of the reactor, a new model is set up. For any initial power, the variations of output power and reactivity with time are obtained by numerical method. The effects of the big inserted step reactivity and initial power on the prompt supercritical process are analyzed and discussed. It was found that the effect of heat transfer on the output power and reactivity can be neglected under any initial power, and the output power obtained by the adiabatic model is basically in accordance with that by the model of this paper, and the analytical solution can be adopted. The results provide a theoretical base for safety analysis and operation management of a power reactor. (authors)