Calculating Fission Product Density in a BWR Reactor

In summary, to calculate the total fission product, you need to use a core simulation code or estimate the fuel burnup and use fission product yields to determine the inventory. One way to estimate burnup is to integrate the power over time and divide by the mass. However, this method may not be accurate due to variations in burnup levels and accumulation rates throughout the core.
  • #1
rhema8686
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fission product

How do you calculate the total fission product given the fuel type, volume and power density of the reactor?
assuming it's a BWR and homogenous mixture of fuel and coolant. what's the simplest way to find it?
 
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  • #2
I am not sure I totally understand your question, but the fission rate could be estimated from your givens as follows:

Power = power density X volume

There is about 200 MeV of energy generated per fission. So dividing the power by 200 MeV per fission should give you fissions per unit time.
 
  • #3


rhema8686 said:
How do you calculate the total fission product given the fuel type, volume and power density of the reactor?
assuming it's a BWR and homogenous mixture of fuel and coolant. what's the simplest way to find it?
One would noramlly use a core simulation code that tracks the fission product inventory.

Otherwise, one has to estimate the fuel burnup and determine from fission product yields, in either equations or tables, what the fission product inventory would be.

Normally one can take the power (MWt) and integrate over time and divide by the mass to get a core average burnup. However, one must bear in mind that the core has different batches/regions of fuel with different burnup levels at BOC and different burnup accumulation rates (a consequence of different power generation rates).
 

What is fission product density?

Fission product density refers to the concentration of radioactive elements that are produced as a byproduct of nuclear fission reactions.

What is the importance of fission product density?

Fission product density is important because it affects the radiation levels and potential hazards of nuclear waste. It also impacts the efficiency of nuclear reactors and the safety of nuclear power plants.

How is fission product density measured?

Fission product density is typically measured in units of curies or becquerels, which represent the amount of radioactive material present. It can also be measured in terms of activity or specific activity, which take into account the type of radiation emitted by the fission products.

What factors affect fission product density?

The amount and type of fissionable material, the type of reactor, and the length of time since the fission reaction all affect the fission product density. Other factors include the temperature and pressure of the reactor, as well as the chemical composition of the fuel and reactor materials.

What are the potential hazards of high fission product density?

High levels of fission product density can lead to increased radiation levels, which can be harmful to living organisms. It can also make the disposal and storage of nuclear waste more challenging and costly. In extreme cases, high fission product density can cause reactor accidents and radioactive contamination of the environment.

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