The effect of fuel temperature on the estimation of the moderator temperature coefficient in PWRs

ÐThe e€ect of fuel temperature on the estimation of the moderator temperature coecient of reactivity (MTC) via noise analysis is investigated both theoretically and through numerical simulations. An analytical expression giving the envelop of the e€ect is provided. The simulations show that although for typical conditions the e€ect is small it is characterized by a great deal of uncertainty and in certain occurrences it may become significant. The ranges of variation are quantified and the parametric e€ects are addressed. It is found that the induced bias is approximately uniform over a wide range of MTC values. This is supportive to the approach of calibrating the MTC estimates to the actual MTC values through a constant calibration factor