Abstrakt

Neutronic Calculations of Ghana Research Reactor-1 LEU Core

Manowogbor VC, Odoi HC and Abrefah RG

Presenting neutronic calculations relating to the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) LEU core is the goal of this article. These are key factors for maintaining safe and reliable core operations of the reactor. The neutronic parameters are: multiplication factor (keff), clean cold core excess reactivity (ρex), control rod worth (CRW), neutron flux distribution in the inner and outer experimental channel and the delayed neutron fraction. A Monte Carlo-N-Particle (MCNP5) neutronic simulation code was employed in this study. These calculations were done before the final core loading and the subsequent experimental Zero Power Test (ZPT) of the GHARR-1. The excess reactivity of the LEU core was calculated to be 4.03 ± 0.05 mk. This study indicates that, the reactor is operated under safe and reliable condition.