Pázsit Imre (Chalmers University, Goteborg):

How chance processes and randomness can make nuclear power safer –reactor diagnostics with neutron noise analysis

Abstract:

Most parameters of a non-trivial system, either biological or physical, are inherently random. In stationary physical systems, the randomness is manifested by small fluctuations around the mean value. Such small fluctuations, also called “noise”, are most often considered as unwanted, and suppressed. However, if one understands how these fluctuations (which often have very fascinating and unexpected features) arise, they become a true “gold mine”, i.e. they contain a wealth of information about the system, which one can obtain in a non-intrusive way during normal operation.

In this talk, I will show how fluctuations of the neutron distribution (“neutron noise”) in a nuclear reactor are utilized for improving reactor safety. The functioning of a nuclear reactor, and the basic physical processes in the reactor are first described. Then, the various reasons for the generation of the fluctuations in the neutron population are discussed. Finally, it is shown how the neutron noise can be used for monitoring the “health status” of nuclear reactors and to indicate incipient failures in an early phase. Examples of applications in Swedish and Hungarian power plants will be given.

About the lecturer:

• Personal page at Chalmers.
• Imre Pázsit awarded twice.
• Imre Pázsit is the holder of the Leo Szilard Medal of the Hungarian Nuclear Society.