Reactor Fuel Cycle Analysis by Series Methods

An analytical method is developed for determining the properties of a power or converter reactor as a function of time during the operating cycle. Account is taken of the space-dependent fuel consumption and production by the fundamental flux distribution. Average isotopic compositions, reactivity, isotopic power distribution, and cycle life are expressed in terms of “burnup” functions. These may be evaluated by the use of series involving tabulated flux averages over the core.