\section*{Problem 3} \subsection*{Part A} \subsubsection*{Python Code} \begin{lstlisting}[language=Python, basicstyle=\ttfamily\small, keywordstyle=\color{blue}, commentstyle=\color{gray}, stringstyle=\color{red}, showstringspaces=false, numbers=left, numberstyle=\tiny, frame=single, breaklines=true] import numpy as np # Problem 3A ## Using formulas from Fundamental Kinetics Ideas R17 Page 51 DRW = 10 # pcm/step STEPS = 8 LAMBDA_EFF = 0.1 # hz # ASSUMING AFTER ROD PULL COMPLETE, RHO_DOT = 0 RHO_DOT = 0 BETA = 640 # pcm # FIND RHO AFTER ROD PULL rho = DRW * STEPS # pcm sur = 26.06 * (RHO_DOT + LAMBDA_EFF * rho) / (BETA - rho) print(f"The Start Up Rate is: {sur:.3f}") \end{lstlisting} \subsubsection*{Solution} Given: \begin{itemize} \item Differential Rod Worth (DRW) = 10 pcm/step \item Number of steps = 8 \item $\lambda_{eff}$ = 0.1 Hz \item $\dot{\rho}$ = 0 (after rod pull complete) \item $\beta$ = 640 pcm \end{itemize} Reactivity after rod pull: \[\rho = \text{DRW} \times \text{STEPS} = 10 \times 8 = 80 \text{ pcm}\] Start-up rate calculation: \[\text{SUR} = \frac{26.06 \times (\dot{\rho} + \lambda_{eff} \times \rho)}{\beta - \rho} = \frac{26.06 \times (0 + 0.1 \times 80)}{640 - 80}\] \[\boxed{\text{Start Up Rate} = 0.373 \text{ DPM}}\] \subsection*{Part B} Negative reactivity feedback due to temperature would cause this power level off. I would expect that the average reactor temperature would have increased from the low power state significantly. I would also expect xenon concentration would have increased, but would not have been the culprit in power leveling off. \subsection*{Part C} \subsubsection*{Python Code} \begin{lstlisting}[language=Python, basicstyle=\ttfamily\small, keywordstyle=\color{blue}, commentstyle=\color{gray}, stringstyle=\color{red}, showstringspaces=false, numbers=left, numberstyle=\tiny, frame=single, breaklines=true] # Problem 3C import sympy as sm D_POWER = 2.5 # % D_T_AVG = 4 # degrees HEAT_UP_RATE = 0.15 # F/s ALPHA_F = 10 # pcm/%power rho_rod = rho # The heat up rate introduces a rho_dot, so SUR becomes 0 at the peak power. alpha_w_sym = sm.Symbol("alpha_w") rho_dot = alpha_w_sym * HEAT_UP_RATE rho_net = alpha_w_sym * D_T_AVG + rho_rod + ALPHA_F * D_POWER # At peak power, SUR = 0, which means: rho_dot + lambda_eff * rho_net = 0 # (the numerator must be zero) equation = rho_dot + LAMBDA_EFF * rho_net # Solve for alpha_w alpha_w_solution = sm.solve(equation, alpha_w_sym)[0] alpha_w = float(alpha_w_solution) print(f"The water temperature reactivity coefficient is: {alpha_w:.3f} pcm/F") \end{lstlisting} \subsubsection*{Solution} Given: \begin{itemize} \item Power change at peak: $\Delta P$ = 2.5\% \item Average temperature change at peak: $\Delta T_{avg}$ = 4$^\circ$F \item Heat-up rate: $\dot{T}$ = 0.15 $^\circ$F/s \item Fuel temperature coefficient: $\alpha_f$ = 10 pcm/\%power \item Rod reactivity: $\rho_{rod}$ = 80 pcm (from Part A) \item $\lambda_{eff}$ = 0.1 Hz \end{itemize} At peak power, the start-up rate becomes zero (SUR = 0), but temperature is still rising. This is the key insight: the numerator of the SUR equation must equal zero: \[\dot{\rho} + \lambda_{eff} \times \rho_{net} = 0\] The temperature rise creates a reactivity change rate: \[\dot{\rho} = \alpha_w \times \dot{T} = \alpha_w \times 0.15\] The net reactivity at the peak is: \[\rho_{net} = \alpha_w \Delta T_{avg} + \rho_{rod} + \alpha_f \Delta P = \alpha_w \times 4 + 80 + 10 \times 2.5\] Substituting into the SUR = 0 condition: \[\alpha_w \times 0.15 + 0.1 \times (\alpha_w \times 4 + 80 + 25) = 0\] \[0.15\alpha_w + 0.4\alpha_w + 10.5 = 0\] \[0.55\alpha_w = -10.5\] \[\boxed{\alpha_w = -19.091 \text{ pcm/}^\circ\text{F}}\] \subsection*{Part D} \subsubsection*{Solution} At final equilibrium when the transient is complete: \begin{itemize} \item Temperature stops changing: $\dot{T} = 0 \Rightarrow \dot{\rho} = 0$ \item Start-up rate returns to zero: SUR = 0 \item Net reactivity must be zero: $\rho_{net} = 0$ \end{itemize} Since $\dot{\rho} = 0$ at equilibrium, the SUR equation requires: \[\text{SUR} = \frac{26.06 \times (0 + \lambda_{eff} \times \rho_{net})}{\beta - \rho_{net}} = 0\] This is satisfied when $\rho_{net} = 0$: \[\alpha_w T_{final} + \rho_{rod} + \alpha_f P_{final} = 0\] However, without knowing the heat removal characteristics (i.e., the relationship between power generation and temperature at thermal equilibrium with ambient losses), we cannot solve for exact values of $T_{final}$ and $P_{final}$. \textbf{Qualitative Analysis:} The transient behavior proceeds as follows: \begin{enumerate} \item \textbf{At the peak} ($\Delta T = 4^\circ$F, $\Delta P = 2.5\%$): SUR = 0, but temperature is still rising at 0.15 $^\circ$F/s \item \textbf{After the peak}: Temperature continues to rise $\Rightarrow$ more negative reactivity is added $\Rightarrow$ power decreases from its maximum \item \textbf{At final equilibrium}: Temperature plateaus when heat generation equals ambient heat removal \end{enumerate} Therefore: \[\boxed{T_{final} > 4^\circ\text{F} \quad \text{and} \quad P_{final} < 2.5\%}\] The final power is lower than the peak power, but the final temperature is higher than the peak temperature. The peak power at 2.5\% is a transient maximum, not the steady-state equilibrium value.