The behavior of reactor power and flux resulting from changes in core-coolant temperature for a miniature neutron source reactor

In this work, measurements were performed to verify the theoretical predictions of reactor power and flux parameters that result from changes in core inlet temperature (Tin) and the temperature difference between the coolant inlet and outlet (ΔT) in the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1), which is a Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR). The measured data shows that there is a strong dependence of the reactor power on coolant temperature in agreement with the design of MNSR. The experimental parameters were found to be in good agreement with data obtained using a semi-empirical relationship between the reactor power, flux parameters, core inlet temperature, and the coolant temperature rise. The relationship was therefore used to predict the power level of NIRR-1 from its neutron flux parameters to which it has been found to be proportional. The variation of Tin and ΔT with the reactor power and flux was also investigated and the results obtained are hereby discussed.