Elementary Derivation of the Dynamic Equations ; Constant Reactivity and Reactivitjr Steps; Time-dependent Reactivity; Integral Equations and Numerical Computations ; Reactivity Feedback and Reactor Excursions; Linear System Stability ; Nonlinear System Stability ; and Space-dependent Neutron Dynamics. The lumped-parameter dynamic equations (the so-called point-reactor model) are developed in Chap. 1 from neutron diffusion theory and are treated for various functional forms of the reactivity in Chaps. 2, 3 and 5. Many useful approximate solutions to the equations are discussed. Chapter 4 features a discussion of the numerous methods that have been developed for casting the differential equations of reactor dynamics in forms suitable for digital computer solution. Chapter 6 is concerned with the stability of linear systems representing a nuclear reactor with reactivity feedback. Some of the widely used methods of linear stability analysis are treated. Chapter 7 presents an introduction to nonlinear mechanics and its application to nuclear reactor systems with an emphasis on analytical methods for investigating stability in the absence of exact solut.ions, no general method being available for solving nonlinear differential equations. The discussion of space-dependent neutron dynamics in Chap. 8 includes a derivation of the point-reactor model from neutron transport theory and an introduction to the theory of neutron pulses and waves. The book also contains many recent, results in the dynamics of large reactors: as well as giving special attention to the important topics of fast reactors and computation of dynamic reactivity coefficients from basic reactor data.
The approach to the problems in this book is good. The problems follow directly from the text material and cover a wide variety of situations and points of interest not treated in the text. The problems, along with many useful references, offer the reader an opportunity to explore many additional topics and interesting sidelights which could not be covered by the