Subcritical reactivity measurement method

摘要

A method of monitoring reactivity changes in a nuclear reaction when the nuclear reaction is subcritical. The method controls the parameter of the nuclear reaction that affects reactivity of the reaction to slightly alter the reactivity while monitoring an output of a source range detector. The Inverse Count Rate Ratio from the output of the detector is determined periodically during a transient portion of the output. A correction factor is applied to the Inverse Count Rate Ratio data and the data is plotted as a function of time. The correction factor linearizes the Inverse Count Rate Ratio data so that the curve can be predictably extrapolated.