Question

Consider a homogeneous, bare, spherical, source-free, critical, uranium-fueled reactor operating at a power Po. Explain how and why the power increases, decreases, or remains unchanged as a result of each of the separate changes to the reactor.

a. The reactor is deformed into the shape of a football (ellipsoid).
b. A person stands next to the core.
c. The temperature of the core is raised.
d. A neutron source is brought close to the core.
e. An energetic electron beam impacts the core.
f. The reactor is run at high power for a long time.
g. The core is launched into outer space.
h. A sheet of cadmium is wrapped around the core.
i. The enrichment of the fuel is increased.

Answer 1

a) unchanged

b) unchanged

c) Increase

d) Increase

e) unchanged

f ) Increase

g) unchanged

h) decrease

i) unchanged

Step-by-step explanation:

Determine how and why the power increases, decreases, or remains unchanged

a) The reactor been deformed will not cause an increase in power i.e. power remains unchanged and this is because power change/generated does not depend on dimension

b) No change will happen to the power ( Unchanged )

c) When the temperature of the core is raised the power increases and this is because of the increase in bombarding of particles causing an increase in charge particle

d) When a neutron source is brought close to the core the power will increase and this is because the presence of more neutron in the core results to an increase in energy released ( more power will be generated )

e) An energetic electron beam impacting the core will not cause an increase in power ( reason been that it is lighter than neutron ) power unchanged

f ) When the reactor is run at a high power there would be an increase in power generated

g) When the core is launched into outer space the power generated remains unchanged

h) when a sheet of Cadmium is wrapped around the core the power generated will be decreased ( reason : Cadmium can absorb neutrons thereby reducing reaction)

i) Increase in the enrichment of the fuel will not cause an increase in the power generated but it will sustain the reaction ( unchanged power )