Chain Reaction

Chain Reaction
Vasily Arzhanov
Reactor Physics, KTH
Overview
Neutron Cycle in a Thermal Reactor Multiplication Factor k Conversion and Breeding Doubling Time Simplified Fuel Cycle Fuel at Discharge
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Chain Reaction
Chain Reaction

235 92
235 92
n 0.1 eV
n 2 MeV
238 92
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Chain Reaction
Multiplication Factor
number of fissions (neutrons) in one generation k number of fissions (neutrons) in preceding generation
If k > 1 then the number of fissions (neutrons, energy release) increases. If k < 1 then the number of fissions (neutrons, energy release) decreases. If k = 1 then the chain reaction proceeds at a constant rate.
(supercritical) (subcritical) (critical)
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Chain Reaction
Two Definitions
1)
dI I = x = x NB dx
I0 I(x) x x+dx
2)
Rx ( Vol ) = x NB I Vol
Rx ( Vol ) Vol x = NB I
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Microscopic X-sections
10 4
238
10
3
(barns)
10 2
capture
10 1
10 0 10 -1
fission
10
-2
10 -3
10 -2
10 -1
10 0
10 1
10 2
10 3
10 4
10 5
10 6
10 7
10 4
235
10
3
(barns)
10 2
fission
10 1
10 0
capture
10
-1
10 -2 -3 10
10 -2
10 -1
10 0
10 1
10 2
10 3
10 4
10 5
10 6
10 7
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Chain Reaction
Basic Definitions
Macroscopic X-section:
1 1 ] = cm 3 cm 1 1 1 Reaction rate: Rx = x vn = x cm 2 = 3 cm s cm s x = x N B [cm2
Capture-to-fission ratio:
f f Pf = P {fission neutron is absorbed} a f = = Pf = f + 1+ f 1+

Chain Reaction 7
Fission probability: Number of fission neutrons per 1 absorption in fuel:
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6 U-233 U-235 Pu-239
239Pu
Neutrons per fission,
235U
233U
Fission Neutrons
0
10
10
12
14
16
18
20
4
Neutrons per absorption,
233U
3 2 1 4
0 6 4 2 0 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
235U
0 6
239Pu
4 2 0
-3 0 3 6 7
10
10
10
10
10
Energy, E [MeV] HT 2008 Chain Reaction
Energy, E [eV] 8
Neutron Absorption in Fuel

Removal of a neutron
Absorption in fuel
Absorption in non-fuel
Leaking from core
Af Absorption in fuel
Pr A f =
{ }
Absorptions in fuel = Absorptions in fuel + Absorptions in non-fuel + Leakage Absorptions in fuel Absorptions total = f PNL Absorptions total ( Absorptions total + Leakage )
f PNL
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Chain Reaction
Neutron Utilization and Non-Leakage

Neutron utilization (thermal):
Absorptions in fuel f = Pr A f A Absorptions total
Non-leakage probability:
Absorptions total PNL ( Absorptions total + Leakage )

PNL = PFNL PTNL
Fast Non-Leakage (FNL)

HT 2008 Chain Reaction
Thermal Non-Leakage (TNL)

10
Fast Fission and Resonance Escape

Number of fission neutrons due to both fast and thermal fission Number of fission neutrons due to only thermal fission p Resonance escape probability
F a f = F neutron utilization oth a + a
F f Pf = F = F fission probability a a
F f
Neutron Cycle in Reactor

E
2 MeV N 2 = Pf PTNL fpPFNL N 1 N2 N1 Leakage
N1
Slowing down p PFNL N 1
12
PFNL N 1 Fast fission
n/fission
N2 k N1
2.5
Pf PTNL fpPFNL N 1 Non-fissile abs.
Energy
Resonance abs.
Non-fuel abs.
1 eV
Fission 200 MeV/fission
PTNL fpPFNL N 1 f pPFNL N 1 Leakage

Chain Reaction
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Fission X-Section
Nuclear fuel = 238U(95-98%) + 235U(2-5%)
10 4
10 4
235
10
3
U
(barns)
238
10 3
(barns)
10 2
10 2
fission
10 1
capture
10 1
10 0
10 0
capture
10
-1
10 -1
fission
10 -2 -3 10 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 1 10 2 10 3 10 4 10 5 10 6 10 7
10 -2 -3 10 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 1 10 2 10 3 10 4 10 5 10 6 10 7
Energy (eV)
Energy (eV)
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Chain Reaction
13
Simple Criticality Calculations

N2 = N1 PFNL pfPTNL Pf
1.65
p 0.87
f 0.71
F f = Pf = F a
N k = 2 = fp PFNL PTNL N1 PFNL PTNL = 1 k = fp
1.02
PFNL 0.97 PTNL 0.99 k = 1.04 k = 1.00
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Chain Reaction
14
Uranium Fuel
238U 235U 234U
4.5109 yr Unat EU DU 99.27% 98-95% 99.8%
0.7109 yr 0.72% 2-5% 0.2%
247000 yr 0.006% 0.006% 0.006%
Application CANDU (D2O) LWR (H2O) Fast Reactor (FR, FBR) Armour for tanks Armour-piercing
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Chain Reaction
15
Chain Reaction in Unat

Unat =
238U
(99.3%) +
235U
(0.7%)
139:1
238U 235U
N(238U) : N(235U) = 139 : 1

No neutrons Capture in No thermal neutrons here
238U 238U
Inelastic scattering is dominant
in f
0.5 0.0
0.7 1.3
238U 235U
(238U) > f (235U)
in
c a p tu re
2.9 0.6
2.3 1.3
fis sio n
0 -3 1 0 -2 1 0 -1 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107
1 eV
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1000 eV
Chain Reaction
0.1 MeV
2 MeV
16
Chain Reaction in Unat by Thermal Neutrons

Thermal energy, E = 0.025 eV Scattering does not change energy
e N fiss N abs = = N ( 235 U ) N ( U nat )
235 f
238U
235U
2.72 0.0
101 579
= 0.007
+ ( +
235
235 f
238
= = e 235 f
235 f
235
N 235 235 f
235 f
235
)+ N
238
238
e (
235
) + (1 e )
238
= 0.547
= 2.42
k = 2.42 0.547 = 1.32
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If we deliver somehow neutron to thermal region then chain reaction is possible in Unat !
Chain Reaction 17
Moderator
The problem is to deliver fission neutrons down to thermal energy. Moderator is a solution: {H2O, D2O, C}. Unat + H2O : best moderation but too many neutrons are captured in H2O Unat + C = RBMK reactor!!
Unat + D2O = CANDU reactor!!
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Chain Reaction
18
Chain Reaction in U-Fuel in 1 Mev Region

e N ( 235 U ) N ( U mix ) = 50%
1 Mev in f
238U 235U
Enrichment:
2.9 0.6
2.3 1.3
N fiss N coll
238 235 + f f = 235 = 0.27 238 235 238 f + f + in + in
k = 0.27 2.42 < 1
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Chain Reaction
19
Chain Reaction in U-Fuel in 0.3 Mev Region

Enrichment:
N(
235
N ( U mix )
U)
0.3 MeV
238U
235U
= 50%
in f
0.5 (2.9) 0.0 (0.6)
0.7 (2.3) 1.3 (1.3)

1 MeV
N fiss N coll
235 f = 235 = 0.52 235 238 f + in + in
k = 0.52 2.42 = 1.26

Fast reactors
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Chain Reaction
20
General Conclusion on Chain Reaction

Unat: Chain reaction is impossible without moderator; Unat: Chain reaction is impossible with H2O nowadays; Unat: Chain reaction by thermal neutrons is possible with D2O, C; e = 2-5% in 235U is needed for chain reaction by thermal neutrons with H2O; e = 50% is not enough for chain reaction by 1MeV-neutrons; e = 50% is enough for chain reaction by 0.3 MeV-neutrons;
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Chain Reaction
21
Natural Reactor in Oklo

Discovered in 1972. Oklo: e = 0.7171% Standard: e = 0.7202%
The uranium isotopes found at Oklo strongly resemble the spent nuclear fuel.
1.7 billion years ago: Unat = 238U (97%) + 235U (3%) Present: Unat = 238U (99.3%) + 235U (0.7%)
Paul Kuroda, University of Arkansas, predicted the natural reactor in 1956.

Conversion or Breeding
Fertile:
n + 238 92 U
239 92
U +
233 n + 232 Th 90 90Th +
23.5 min
239 93
22.3min
233 91
Np + +
2.35 d
Pa + +
27.0 d
Fissile:
239 94
Pu + +
24110 yr
233 92
U + +
159200 yr
B
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Number of new fissile nuclides produced Number of fissile nuclides consumed

Chain Reaction 23
233U
10 4 10
3
and 239Pu as Fissile Nuclides

10 4
235
U
10
235
3
(barns)
10 2
(barns)
10 2
fission
10
1
fission
10
1
10 0
10 0
capture
10 -1
10 -1
capture
10 -2 -3 10
10 -2
10 -1
10 0
10 1
10 2
10 3
10 4
10 5
10 6
10 7
10 -2 -3 10
10 -2
10 -1
10 0
10 1
10 2
10 3
10 4
10 5
10 6
10 7
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Chain Reaction
24
238U
(barns)
and 232Th as Fertile Nuclides
10 4
238
10
3
10 2
capture
10 1
10 0 10 -1
fission
10
-2
10 -3
10 -2
10 -1
10 0
10 1
10 2
10 3
10 4
10 5
10 6
10 7
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Chain Reaction
25
Utilization of Uranium Resources

A number of reactors has breeding factor B. Mass of 235U in fuel = M. 1-st charge: BM of 238U is converted to 239Pu. 2-nd charge: B2M of 238U is converted to 239Pu. Totally, M/(1-B) of Losses B > 1 B = 0.75 2.86% of Unat can be used
(U-reactor) (Pu-reactor)
238U
will be used (B < 1)
Worlds resources B = 0.993
Breeding Factor
B neutrons captured in fertile 1 neutron absorbed in fuel neutrons produced
1 neutron to maintain chain reaction
Non-fuel capture and losses C+L
= 1 + B + (C + L) B = 1 (C + L) > 1 > 2 + (C + L) > 2 C + L 0.2 > 2.2

Factor
Isotope Thermal Fast (100%) (0.025eV) (>0.5 MeV) 235U 2.07 2.35 233U 2.29 2.40 239Pu 2.15 2.90
In fast reactors, B is even better than B = 1 (C+L) because fast fission was not taken into account Fast fission amounts up to 20% (238U) in fast reactors as contrast to 2% in thermal reactors.
Fuel Cycle (Thermal)

Fissile Materials
U nat
Fuel Factory
EU or U nat
Thermal Reactor
Actinides (MA)
Fiss. Pr. (FP)
DU
Spent Fuel
MA = Minor Actinides Actinides (A = 89 102) other than U and Pu

Fuel Cycle (Fast)

239
Pu
Spent Fuel
Fuel Factory
Initial loading
238U
+ 239Pu
Fast Reactor
FP+MA
238
Spent Fuel
DU
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Chain Reaction
30
Neutron Economy
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Chain Reaction
31
Fission Neutrons
239Pu 235U 233U
239
= 2.844 + 0.138 E = 2.432 + 0.066 E

= 2.349 + 0.150 E
235
E=1
233
= 2.482 + 0.075 E
= 2.412 + 0.136 E
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Chain Reaction
32
Conversion Factor
If B < 1 it is called conversion factor, C. Number of 239Pu created per 1 neutron absorbed
238 a C = 235 + 235 (1 p ) PFNLPTNL a
Reactor System BWR PWR PHWR (CANDU) HTGR LMFBR

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Initial Fuel
235U 235U
Conversion Cycle
238U 238U 238U
Conversion Ration 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.6

33
(2-4%) (2-4%) (5%)
239Pu 239Pu 239Pu 233U 239Pu
Unat
235U 239Pu
232Th 238U
(10-20%)
Chain Reaction
Neutron Cycle in Reactor

E
2 MeV N 2 = Pf PTNL fpPFNL N 1 N2 N1 Leakage Slowing down p PFNL N 1 Non-fissile abs. Non-fuel abs.
34
N1
PFNL N 1 Fast fission
n/fission
N2 k N1
2.5
Pf PTNL fpPFNL N 1
Energy
Resonance abs.
1 eV
Fission 200 MeV/fission
PTNL fpPFNL N 1 f pPFNL N 1 Leakage

Chain Reaction
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Doubling Time
Td
N =
for a breeder reactor is the amount of time required for the original fissile loading to double
atoms # atoms # = ; N F Vol Mass g cm 3 W ] 3 cm
Volume Rating R = f N f = f f [ Mass MF Rating R = f N F f [ is Mass of Fissile Fuel W ] g
atoms ; ( Consumption ) RC = M F N F a s atoms RP = BM F N F a ; ( Production ) s Rnet = RP RC = ( B 1) M F N F a

HT 2008 Chain Reaction
Td Rnet = M F N F
f N F f Td = ( B 1) R a
35
Doubling Time for FR

Td =
f N F f
(B 1) R a
J fission
f = 3.36 10 11
atoms N F = 2.52 1021 g a = 2.15 barn; f = 1.8 barn MW R = 500 tonne 239 Pu Td = 22 yr
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Chain Reaction
36
Multiplication Factor
< 1: N2 k = = 1: N1 > 1:
N (t )
subcritical critical supercritical
P (t ) is Production rate L(t ) is Loss rate P(t ) N (t ) = Lifetime of a neutron generation k ; l L(t ) L(t ) P(t ) dN (t ) k 1 = P(t ) L(t ) = 1 L(t ) = N (t ) l dt L(t ) k 1 N (t ) = N 0 exp t l
Chain Reaction by Fast N.

N (t ) = N0 et ( k 1) l = N0 et T T l Reactor Period k 1 = 19 g cm3 ; f = 1.2 b; t = 6 b
235U
v( E = 2MeV) = 2 109 cm s 19 6 1023 6 1024 t = N t = N A t = = 0.29cm-1 235 A Reasonable estimate 3.4 t 9 for a sphere 1.7 10 s = t = 1 t = 3.4cm = = 9 v 2 10 f 9 f 1 9 8.5 10 8 = 5 = 8.5 10 s = l= k = 1.85 T = = 10 s 5 v t 0.85
N (t ) t = exp 8 N (0) 10
Time to Fission 1 kg 235U

1g atom 6 1023 atoms 235g 1000 6 1023 = 2.5 1024 atoms = neutrons 1kg 235 U 235 2.5 1024 neutrons are needed (no loss) 3 1024 neutrons are needed (leakage, absorptions) 1kg
235
U is fissioned by 3 1024 neutrons
N(t) t = 3 1024 = exp 8 t 5.6 107 s 1 10 Fission of 1 g of 1 kg of

235 235
U 1MWd = 8.6 104 MJ = 20 t TNT
U 20 kt TNT within 5.6 107 s
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Chain Reaction
39
Energy Comparison
TNT = Tri Nitro Toluol 1 kg of TNT = 4.2 MJ 1W = 3.11010 fission s Fission of 1 g of Fission of 1 kg of Bomb
235
U 8.6 104 MJ = 20 t TNT U 20 kt TNT U is fissioned within 6 10-7 s P=1.5 1014 MW
235
: 1 kg of
235
NPP (F-3): 1 kg of 235 U is fissioned within 8 hours P=3 103MW F-3 consumes 3 bombs a day (as that droped on Nagasaki)
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Chain Reaction
40
Distribution of FP Mass
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Chain Reaction
41
N u clid e
H alf-life (year)
D isch arge from 3000 M W t L W R (k g/a) 14.5 4.5 166.0 76.7 25.4 15.5 16.6 3.0 0.6 0.2 0.1 13.4 13.4 23.2 7.3 1.0 5.8 9.4 31.8 0.4
Pth=3000 MW e = 3.2% Trc = 3 yr BU = 35 MWd/kgU
Np Pu 239 Pu 240 Pu 241 Pu 242 Pu 241 Am 243 Am 244 Cm

238
237
A ctin ides
2 140 000 80 24 000 6 600 14 374 000 433 7 400 18
F IS S IO N P R O D U C T S
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Se Kr 90 Sr 93 Zr 99 Tc 107 Pd 126 Sn 129 I 135 Cs 137 Cs 151 Sm

85
79
65 000 11 28 1 500 000 210 000 6 500 000 100 000 15 700 000 3 000 000 30 Chain Reaction 90
42
Mass [kg]
0,1 151Sm 137Cs 135Cs 129I 126Sn 107Pd 99Tc 93Zr 90Sr 85Kr 79Se 244Cm 243Am 241Am 242Pu 241Pu 240Pu 239Pu 238Pu 237Np 0,1
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Half-life [yr]
10 100
10
100
101 102 103 104 105 106 107

43
Chain Reaction
Uranium Consumption
Nuclide Initial load
235U
Fission Property fissile fissile neither fissile fertile fissile neither
% of fuel
Seems must be!!
3.2 0.85 0.38 0.55 0.23 0.15 0.05 3.8
18%
Discharge
235U
(3.2-0.85)0.18 = 0.42%
236U 239Pu 240Pu
3.2 -0.85 = 2.35 consumed -0.38 = 1.97
82%
241Pu 242Pu
Conversion: C=0.6 2.35%0.6 = 1.4%
(3.2-0.85)0.82 = 1.9%
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FP
Chain Reaction
44
The END
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Chain Reaction
45

Chain Reaction

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Chain Reaction

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Chain Reaction

(supercritical) (subcritical) (critical)

1 1 ] = cm 3 cm 1 1 1 Reaction rate: Rx = x vn = x cm 2 = 3 cm s cm s x = x N B [cm2

f f Pf = P {fission neutron is absorbed} a f = = Pf = f + 1+ f 1+

Fission probability: Number of fission neutrons per 1 absorption in fuel:

6 U-233 U-235 Pu-239

Neutrons per fission,

Neutrons per absorption,

Energy, E [MeV] HT 2008 Chain Reaction

Neutron Absorption in Fuel

Leaking from core

Neutron Utilization and Non-Leakage

Absorptions in fuel f = Pr A f A Absorptions total

Absorptions total PNL ( Absorptions total + Leakage )

Fast Non-Leakage (FNL)

Thermal Non-Leakage (TNL)

Fast Fission and Resonance Escape

Neutron Cycle in Reactor

PFNL N 1 Fast fission

Fission 200 MeV/fission

PTNL fpPFNL N 1 f pPFNL N 1 Leakage

Simple Criticality Calculations

PFNL 0.97 PTNL 0.99 k = 1.04 k = 1.00

4.5109 yr Unat EU DU 99.27% 98-95% 99.8%

0.7109 yr 0.72% 2-5% 0.2%

247000 yr 0.006% 0.006% 0.006%

Chain Reaction in Unat

N(238U) : N(235U) = 139 : 1

Inelastic scattering is dominant

(238U) > f (235U)

Chain Reaction in Unat by Thermal Neutrons

Unat + D2O = CANDU reactor!!

Chain Reaction in U-Fuel in 1 Mev Region

238 235 + f f = 235 = 0.27 238 235 238 f + f + in + in

k = 0.27 2.42 < 1

Chain Reaction in U-Fuel in 0.3 Mev Region

0.5 (2.9) 0.0 (0.6)

0.7 (2.3) 1.3 (1.3)

235 f = 235 = 0.52 235 238 f + in + in

k = 0.52 2.42 = 1.26

General Conclusion on Chain Reaction

Natural Reactor in Oklo

Paul Kuroda, University of Arkansas, predicted the natural reactor in 1956.

233 n + 232 Th 90 90Th +

Number of new fissile nuclides produced Number of fissile nuclides consumed

and 239Pu as Fissile Nuclides

and 232Th as Fertile Nuclides

Utilization of Uranium Resources

will be used (B < 1)

Worlds resources B = 0.993

1 neutron to maintain chain reaction

Non-fuel capture and losses C+L

= 1 + B + (C + L) B = 1 (C + L) > 1 > 2 + (C + L) > 2 C + L 0.2 > 2.2

Fuel Cycle (Thermal)

Fiss. Pr. (FP)

MA = Minor Actinides Actinides (A = 89 102) other than U and Pu

Fuel Cycle (Fast)

= 2.844 + 0.138 E = 2.432 + 0.066 E

Reactor System BWR PWR PHWR (CANDU) HTGR LMFBR

Conversion Ration 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.6

(2-4%) (2-4%) (5%)

239Pu 239Pu 239Pu 233U 239Pu

Neutron Cycle in Reactor

PFNL N 1 Fast fission