This paper describes the transient behavior of TRIGA, a light-water-cooled reactor using fuel-moderator elements composed of uranium and zirconium hydride. The large, prompt negative temperature coefficient—an inherent characteristic of these fuel-moderator elements—limits reactor power transients primarily by means of fuel-element temperature rise rather than by void formation in the core. Step reactivity insertions of up to 1.6% resulted in peak powers of 250 Mw with no detectable boiling of the core water or expulsion of water from the core.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Stone et al. (1959) studied this question.