METHODS OF MATHEMATICAL-STATISTICS FOR VERIFICATION OF HYDROGEN CONTENT IN ZIRCONIUM HYDRIDE MODERATOR

The hydrogen content of zirconium hydride blocks used as the moderator in Topaz-2-type space reactors is estimated according to correlation- regression analysis procedures of mathematical statistics and is based on the results of the definition of the reactivity of the blocks in a research critical assembly. A linear mathematical model for a variabl e response is formulated within the framework of the first-order pertu rbation theory applied to the estimation of reactivity effects in reac tors. A PASPORT computer code is written based on the developed algori thm. The statistical analysis of the available data performed by using PASPORT shows that the developed approach allows determination of the insignificance of the contribution of the impurities to the reactivit y of the blocks, verification of the manufacturer's data on the hydrog en content in zirconium hydride blocks, and estimation of the reactivi ty shift in a standard block.