Reactor physics characteristics of lead cooled fast reactor. A new type fast neutron reactor

The fundamental reactor physics characteristics of the fast neutron reactor with the heavy metal lead as coolant are discussed. Lead, due to its smaller moderating cross-section, greater transport cross-section and the lower absorption cross-section, renders the fast reactor to have a series particular physical characteristics, such as a greater coolant-fuel volume ratio, a smaller heat power density, a more harden neutron energy spectrum, a negative void reactivity and the negative temperature reactivity coefficient. All these demonstrate that the lead-cooled fast reactor has many advantageous factors in favour of inherent safety of reactor