NS SAVANNAH KINETIC STUDIES, USE OF NOISE ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE REACTOR STABILITY AND XENON AND BURNUP EFFECTS

Equipment developed for the N.S. Savannah determines the spectral power density of noise in the current from a neutron-sensitive chamber. The basic units (a band-pass filter, an analog integrator, and a voltage-to-frequency converter) search for indications of instability as the reactor is taken to power for the first time, and determine xenon and burnup effects for core power coefficients and time constants. The spectral power density is the sum of two terms: a white noise term due to the random nature of neutron travel to the chamber, and a reactor noise term due to the spectral reactivity driving function and the reactor transfer function. Measurements made at 100 KW and 6.9 MW gave no indication of instability. A computer program written for Fourier analysis of a magnetic tape recording of voltage-to-frequency converter output will yield a detailed spectrum, which can be used later to estimate xenon and fuel burnup effects on the reactor transfer function.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number BAW-1246.
• Corporate Authors:

  Babcock and Wilcox Company

  Atomic Energy Division
  Lynchburg, VA  United States  24504
• Authors:
  • Batch, M L
  • Ball, R M
• Publication Date: 1962

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 35 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Equipment tests; Instrumentation; Kinematics; Nuclear powered ships; Nuclear reactors; Sound level
• Old TRIS Terms: Noise intensity; Nuclear reactor instrumentation; Nuclear reactor testing
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00026464
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Contract Numbers: AT(30-1)-2534
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 26 1973 12:00AM