BARC/PUB/2023/0115

 
 

Reactor physics calculation and measurement during first approach to criticality of Apsara-U research reactor

 
     
 
Author(s)

Singh, T.; Pandey, P.; Jainendra Kumar; Banerjee, S.
(RRSD)

Source

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 2023. Vol. 182: Article no. 109636

ABSTRACT

Apsara-U is 2 MW swimming pool type research reactor with low enriched uranium fuelled core. On 10th September 2018, Apsara-U was made critical at 18:41 hrs. After the First Approach to Criticality (FAC) of Apsara- U, low power physics experiments were carried out. The experiments included reactivity worth measurement of all reactivity devices and measurement of the isothermal temperature coefficient of reactivity. Inflated reactivity worth of Shut off Rods as calculated from the power from some of the neutronic channels were obtained on account of shadowing effect of neutron reaching the detector locations. Further the isothermal coefficient of reactivity was observed positive. In this paper, we discuss the mentioned Reactor Physics measurement and related theoretical calculation during FAC that includes solving the benchmark problem for validating the calculation tools, and steady state thermal hydraulic analysis, Reactivity initiated transients for the FAC core configuration for ascertaining the safety of the reactor.

 
 
SIRD Digital E-Sangrahay