Simulation of Vanadium Detectors in DRAGON

Abstract

The Vanadium detectors are used in CANDU-6 reactors to provide mapping data for the on-line reactor regulating system. They can also be used to adjust the diffusion theory flux required for fuel management calculations using a reactor simulation code. Because of the importance of these detectors in the flux mapping approach, it is essential that we understand how they are affected by the reactor environment. The code DRAGON has been used to evaluate the detector self-shielding effect. Since the Vanadium detectors are located perpendicularly to the horizontal fuel channels, a 3D supercell model is first considered. We also propose approximate 2-D models which will be used to determine how the detectors are affected by the local core conditions.