1,029,415. Controlling reactors. EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY (EURATOM). April 7, 1965 [April 14, 1964], No. 15403/64. Heading G6C. The reactivity of a fast reactor is varied cyclically by the periodic insertion of neutron absorbing material into the reactor core. A disc, which is mounted so as to rotate with its periphery passing through the core centre, carries spaced absorber zones round the circumference. The pulse shape is determined by the zone profiles and the reactor is subcritical when the absorber is within the core. Prompt criticality occurs when absorber is absent. To prevent an uncontrolled reaction in the event of a disc fracture, two similar discs may be mounted to rotate through the core simultaneously. B4C may be used as the absorber.
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