Integral parameters in source-driven systems

Integral parameters can give useful information on the physical properties of a multiplying system. However, various theoretical problems are encountered when trying to introduce them in a consistent way for source-driven systems. Many questions also arise for their experimental estimation. After some general considerations, the paper presents comparisons of numerical results obtained in different approaches and by the application of inverse methods to localized neutron flux signal detections. Results presented refer to the Yalina Booster experimental facility, which constitutes an excellent challenging test for the models and methods, being a neutronically, spatially and spectrally decoupled system. Some considerations on the usefulness of such parameters for kinetic analyses and to qualify the system characteristics are also included in the paper, analyzing both highly and loosely coupled configurations.