The influence of direct energy deposition on BWR stability

Direct energy deposition into the coolant of a BWR via high-energy ys and n eutrons is always neglected in reduced-order BWR dynamics models. The corre ctness of such a simple approach is investigated by comparing reactor stabi lity predictions of the March-Leuba-Cacuci-Perez reduced-order model, with a model where direct heating has been included. It is shown that neglecting direct energy deposition leads to a strong underestimation of the stabilit y of the reactor. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.