Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident: Simulation of the influence of Neutron Absorbing Poisons and temperature feedback effects by Point Kinetics Equations

Abstract

In this paper, the solution of the Neutron Point Kinetics model is presented, adding the effects of temperature and absorbers poisons within a historical and technical context to simulate the preliminary characteristics of the Chernobyl accident. The Point Kinetics model was able to extract physical information consistent with what was expected to predict the reactor situation until the accident. It was also possible to verify, given the results, that the Rosenbrock method was able to overcome the degree of stiffness of the ODE system, besides solving a non-linear problem. Thus, this study has contributed to highlighting the importance of temperature effects and especially absorbers poisons in the final power behavior, extremely relevant for decision making in the operation and safety of a nuclear power plant.

Keywords

• Neutron Point Kinetics Equations
• Temperature feedback
• Absorbers poisons
• Chernobyl accident simulation
• Rosenbrock method