Modeling and characterization of beryllium reflector elements under irradiation conditions

Abstract

This study aims at modeling the beryllium reflector poisoning under neutron irradiation conditions and calculating the impact of beryllium poisoning on the core parameters of ETRR-2 research reactor. The CITVAP code was used to calculate the neutron flux and parameters of ETRR-2 core with beryllium reflector elements. The neutron flux in each reflector element was calculated to solve the modeling equations for the atomic densities of lithium-6 (6Li), tritium-3 (3H), and helium-3 (3He) using the BERYL program. The results are discussed based on CITVAP calculations of the core excess reactivity and cycle length Full Power Days (FPD). Possible solutions to minimize the degradation due to beryllium poisoning are also discussed and compared based on calculations.

Keywords

• Beryllium reflector
• Poisoning
• CITVAP
• Research reactor
• Core parameters