Assignment 3 Questions and Answers

ENGR 55400 – REACTOR PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING
Assignment #3 (due April May 3, 2021)
Q1. Neutron Diffusion in Aluminum and Lead

Consider the use of different materials for neutron shielding purposes. An aluminum slab (Diffusion
coefficient, D = 0.246 cm; Σa = 0.01386 cm -1 ) of extrapolated thickness, a, is placed next to a nuclear reactor as
shown below. The neutron current density, J(x), at the left boundary (x = 0) inside the slab is equal to J o (neutrons/cm 2 sec).
By solving the neutron diffusion equation and using J(x=0) = Jo as one of the boundary conditions, calculate the
following.
a) An expression for the neutron flux profile, φ(x), for 0 ≤ x ≤ a, in terms of Jo.
b) Neutron current density, Ja, at the right boundary, x = a, if the extrapolated slab thickness is 10 cm and Jo is equal to
2.5x108 neutrons/cm2sec.
c) The aluminum slab thickness in cm required to reduce the neutron current density at x = a to 0.1% of Jo.
d) The thickness in cm of a lead slab (D = 0.921 cm, Σa = 0.0056 cm-1 ) required to reduce the neutron current density at x
= a to 0.1% of J o . Which is a better shielding material for neutrons, lead or aluminum?
Q2. Neutron Diffusion in a Non-fissioning Medium (NOT MARKED)

Consider a semi-infinite, non-fissioning medium with the properties, Σa, D and L, which extends from x = d, the extrapolation
distance, to x = ∞. The medium has no source in the
region, d <x <x1, but for x > x1, a constant neutron source
of strength S (neutrons/cm3s) is distributed uniformly. Vacuum No Source in Constant Neutron
Find the neutron flux profiles, φ1(x) and φ2(x), for all x ≥ medium 1 Source of Strength, S,
d by solving a neutron diffusion equation in each region. distributed in medium 2
The general solution to the neutron diffusion equation in
the region x ≥ x1 is given by, φ2(x) = Ee-x/L + Fex/L + φp, φ1(x) φ2(x)
where φp is a particular solution. One of the boundary x
conditions is φ1 = 0 at x = 0.
x=0 x=d x = x1 x→∞
𝑥𝑥� 𝑥𝑥�
Or ∅1 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 − 𝐿𝐿 + 𝐶𝐶𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿
1
where cosh(x1/L) = (𝑒𝑒 −𝑥𝑥1/𝐿𝐿 + 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥1/𝐿𝐿 )
2
𝑆𝑆 1 −𝑥𝑥�
So, ∅2 (𝑥𝑥) = �1 − (𝑒𝑒 −𝑥𝑥1 /𝐿𝐿 + 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥1 /𝐿𝐿 )𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 �
Σ𝑎𝑎 2
Q3. Neutron Flux Profile in a Spherical Moderator

Consider an ideal moderator with zero absorption cross section, Σa = 0, and a diffusion coefficient, D. The moderator has a
spherical shape with an extrapolated radius, R. If neutron sources emitting S neutrons/cm3sec are distributed uniformly
throughout the moderator, the steady neutron diffusion equation is given by, 𝐷𝐷𝛻𝛻 2 𝜙𝜙 − 𝛴𝛴𝑎𝑎 𝜙𝜙 = −𝑆𝑆.
a) Simplify the above neutron diffusion equation for this moderator in spherical coordinates and state the appropriate boundary
conditions.
b) By solving the simplified diffusion equation, obtain the neutron flux profile, φ(r).
c) If S = 1000 neutrons/cm3sec, R = 50 cm, and D = 0.1 cm, how many neutrons leak out of the moderator per second?
Q4. Neutron Flux Profile in an Infinite Moderator with Two Planar Sources
Consider an infinite, non-fissioning medium with properties, Σ𝑎𝑎 , D and 𝐿𝐿 = �𝐷𝐷/Σ𝑎𝑎 . If a planar source of strength So
𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜 𝐿𝐿 −𝑥𝑥�
(neutrons/cm2sec) is placed at x = 0, the neutron flux profile is given by, 𝜙𝜙𝑜𝑜 = 𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 .
2𝐷𝐷
a) If the source is moved to x = x1, obtain the new neutron flux profile, φ1(x), in the region, 0 < x < x1. Remember that the
𝑑𝑑∅
neutron current density is a vector and Jx = ±𝐷𝐷 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 where the sign depends on the direction of net neutron flow.
b) Suppose two planar sources of different strengths, So and S1, are placed at x = 0 and x = x1, respectively. Derive the
neutron flux profile, φ(x), in the region between the two sources, 0 < x < x1, which is given by the sum of the fluxes
φo(x) and φ1(x).
c) Find the location of the maximum or minimum in the flux between x = 0 and x = x1.

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ENGR 55400 – REACTOR PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING

Assignment #3 (due April May 3, 2021)

Q1. Neutron Diffusion in Aluminum and Lead

Q2. Neutron Diffusion in a Non-fissioning Medium (NOT MARKED)

Q3. Neutron Flux Profile in a Spherical Moderator

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