Diffusion of Neutrons in Nuclear Reactors

An Introductory Textbook for Neutronics
Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-3-032-05087-8
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 384 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 779 g

This book provides an introductory exploration of nuclear reactor theory, designed for students, physicists, and engineers entering the field for the first time. It employs simplified models based on diffusion theory to facilitate numerical calculations, with direct applications to pressurized water reactors. A consistent dataset underpins the analyses throughout the text, ensuring coherence across topics.

This book offers a fundamental understanding of key reactor physics concepts, including the fundamental mode, harmonics, point kinetics, adjoint flux and perturbation method. It also examines reactor behavior in subcritical approach conditions, Dynamic Rod Weight Measurement, shadowing and anti-shadowing effects.

To maintain conciseness, the text does not cover the fundamental principles of nuclear physics required for neutronics. Readers are expected to have prior knowledge of essential topics such as the fission process and neutron cross sections. Synthetic presentations of the mathematical and physical concepts used in the book are provided in the different appendices.

Zielgruppe

Graduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Grard (Deceased), Hubert

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Atomenergietechnik
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Elektrotechnik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Angewandte Physik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1.A few calculations with monokinetic neutrons.-2.Neutron density, ?ux and current.- 3.Fission spectrum and thermal spectrum.- 4.Slowing down and thermalization.- 5.Resonant absorption. Doppler feedback e?ect.- 6.Di?usion current and ?ux gradient. Fick’s law applied to neutronics.- 7.Equations expressing the conservation of neutrons.- 8.Source neutrons in a scattering and absorbing medium.- 9.The theory of age.- 10.The theory of di?usion applied to ?ssile systems with monoki-netic neutrons.- 11.Boundary conditions.- 12.Two Groups di?usion.- 13.The critical reactor with two neutron groups.- 14.From di?usion theory to point kinetics.- 15.Subcritical reactor.- 16.Highlighting of harmonics.- 17.E?ects of control rods.- 18.Poisoning of the reactors.- 19.Dynamic Rod Weight Measurement.- 20.Adjoint ?ux and perturbation method.

Über Autor(innen)

Hubert Grard is a graduate engineer of the “Génie Atomique” course, an engineer from JUNIA-ISEN. He is currently an engineer at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), and teaches at National Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INSTN). The author has experience in engineering, and PWR operation as former staff of the Chooz NPP operated by EDF. He teaches a wide range of audiences: Chinese students of the French-Chinese institute IFCEN, students of the Master Nuclear Energy, and also professionals of the nuclear industry (engineering, experimental reactor control room Operators). He is the author of “Physique, fonctionnement et sûreté des REP—le réacteur en exploitation” (EDP Sciences 2014), which features especially an in-depth explanation of core control modes and physical phenomena affecting core power distribution, a detailed analysis of transients such as nuclear unit start-up and house load operation, and a functional description of the conventional island.