Testing the AVR for theoretical models of reactor physics

More than 20 years' operation of the AVR was used in two ways to check theoretical models of reactor physics: The accompanyment and pre-calculation of normal operating behaviour and extensive experimental programs on special problems have contributed in an excellent way to working out and validating large reactor simulation models for the HTR. The large number of types of fuel elements used and the relatively complex geometry of this reactor make great demands of the theoretical models and have led to the experience that only a combination of the physical phenomena from neutron, heat and fission material transport will lead to a satisfactory description of reality. (orig.)