Nuclear Heating in a Control Element of a Gas-Cooled Fast Breeder Reactor

For the design of control elements for a gas-cooled fast breeder reactor, accurate heat generation rates in the element must be known. The nuclear heating rates in all sections of the control element and the contribution of all radiation sources to the distribution of nuclear heating in the element are evaluated. The emphasis is placed on the direct neutron heating of the B₄C control rod and on gamma-ray transport and energy deposition in the stainless-steel cladding and guide tube. The calculations include the helium and tritium production within the B₄C control rod.