Reactivity and Reaction Rate Ratio Changes with Moderator Voidage in a Light Water High Converter Reactor Lattice

Integral reaction rate ratios and other k_∞-related parameters have been measured in the first three cores of the experimental program on light water high converter reactor (LWHCR) test lattices in the PROTEUS reactor. The reference tight-pitch lattice consisted of two rod types, with an average fissile-plutonium enrichment of 6% and a fuel/moderator ratio of 2.0. The moderators were H₂O, Dowtherm (simulating an H₂O voidage of 42.5%), and air (100% void). Comparisons of the measured parameters have been made with calculational results based mainly on the use of two separate codes and their associated data libraries, namely, WIMS-D and EPRI-CPM. A reconstruction of individual components of the k_∞ void coefficient has been carried out on the basis of the measured changes with voidage of the various reaction rate ratios, as well as of k_∞ itself. The subsequent more detailed comparisons between experiment and calculation should provide a useful basis for resolving the conflicting calculational results that have been reported in the past for the void coefficient characteristics of LWHCRs.