Real Time Digital Solution of Power Reactor Kinetics Using Z-Transforms

Real time simulation for a multi-node, multi-delay group neutron kinetics model of power reactors has been achieved by application of the discrete interval Z-Transform method of Fowler together with a small correction on the stable period. These transforms are applied sequentially to the reactor kinetic equations to yield a set of linear algebraic difference equations which are accurate to one percent. Spatial variation is achieved by diffusion theory coupling terms between nodes. Several plots of analytic vs. simulated neutron density for single node cases are presented using a 10 Hertz solution rate.