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Some Basic Physics of Converters and Breeder Reactors

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Sustainable and Safe Nuclear Fission Energy

Part of the book series: Power Systems ((POWSYS))

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Abstract

The most important reactor physics characteristics needed for the understanding of the design and operation of nuclear reactors and of their fuel cycle are presented. This comprises the criticality factor, the neutron and temperature distributions in the reactor core and reactivity effects to be controlled by the safety systems. The evolution of the isotopic composition during burnup, i.e., the buildup of fission products and actinides in the reactor fuel, and the importance of conversion and breeding ratios are discussed together with the fuel utilization. Inherent safety characteristics like the negative fuel Doppler coefficient and the negative coolant temperature coefficient are essential for the safe operation and control of nuclear reactors.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    1 eV = 1.602 \(\times \) 10\(^{-19}\) J is the kinetic energy acquired by an electron passing through a potential gradient of 1 V. 1 keV is equal to 10\(^{3}\) eV and 1 MeV is equal to 10\(^{6}\) eV. The energy of 0.0253 eV corresponds to a neutron velocity of 2,200 m/s.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jägersteig 4, 76297, Stutensee, Germany

    Günter Kessler

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  1. Günter Kessler
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Kessler, G. (2012). Some Basic Physics of Converters and Breeder Reactors. In: Sustainable and Safe Nuclear Fission Energy. Power Systems. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11990-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11990-3_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-11989-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-11990-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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