Thermal Power Control of the NRU Reactor

When reactor power is controlled only by neutron teakage flux, a difficulty arises because the factor relating neutron flux level with reactor power is a function of the flux distribution in the reactor. Due to variation in control rod positions, the flux distribution will vary. This paper presents a method for handling the problem by measuring the reactor thermal power and using this to adjust the power level demand circuits. A stability analysis is also given.