Experiments on small-size fast critical fuel assemblies at the AKSAMIT facility and their use for development of computational models

Small-size fast critical assemblies with highly enriched fuel at the AKSAMIT facility are described in detail. Computational models of the critical assemblies at room temperature are given. The calculation results for the critical parameters are compared with the experimental data. A good agreement between the calculations and the experimental data is shown. The physical models developed for the critical assemblies, as well as the experimental results, can be applied to verify various codes intended for calculation of the neutronic characteristics of small-size fast nuclear reactors. For these experiments, the results computed using the codes of the MCU family show a high quality of the neutron data and of the physical models used.     

Calculation and Analysis of the Power Supply of a Railgun From a Magnetohydrodynamic Generator and a Transformer

The power supply of an electromagnetic accelerator of solids (railgun) from a source of electromagnetic energy with a magnetohydrodynamic generator and a transformer with superconducting windings is calculated and analyzed. The laws and equations for electrical circuits are used, which are solved analytically and numerically. It is shown that a transformer with superconducting windings can be used to accumulate electromagnetic energy from a magnetohydrodynamic generator and to power a railgun in burst mode operation.     

The influence of crack-imbalance orientation and orbital evolution for an extended cracked Jeffcott rotor

Vibration peaks occurring at rational fractions of the fundamental rotating critical speed, here named Local Resonances, facilitate cracked shaft detection during machine shut-down. A modified Jeffcott-rotor on journal bearings accounting for gravity effects and oscillating around nontrivial equilibrium points is employed. Modal parameter selection allows this linear model to represent first mode characteristics of real machines. Orbit evolution and vibration patterns are analyzed, yielding useful results. Crack detection results indicate that, instead of 1x and 2x components, analysis of the remaining local resonances should have priority; this is due to crack-residual imbalance interaction and to 2x multiple induced origins. Therefore, local resonances and orbital evolution around 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4 of the critical speed are emphasized for various crack-imbalance orientations. To cite this article: J. Gómez-Mancilla et al., C. R. Mecanique 332 (2004).

Résumé

Les pics de vibration apparaissant au passage des fractions de la vitesse de critique de rotation des systèmes tournants, appelées résonances locales, facilitent la détection de fissures sur les machines. Dans cette étude, un modèle de rotor Jeffcott modifié avec une fissure tournante, comportant des coussinets et prenant en compte les effets de pesanteur et de balourd est présenté. Le choix modal des paramètres permet de représenter les caractéristiques liées au premier mode des machines tournantes usuelles. Les évolutions des vibrations et des orbites du système comportant une fissure sont analysées et permettent d'obtenir des résultats utiles pour la détection des fissures sur les machines tournantes. Ainsi, ces résultats indiquent que, en plus des composants 1x et 2x, l'analyse des autres résonances locales restantes doivent être regardées avec attention du fait de l'interaction possible entre les différentes orientations de la fissure et du balourd, et des origines multiples pouvant engendrer la présence des résonances 2x. Par conséquent les résonances et l'évolution des orbites obtenus autour de 1/2, 1/3 et 1/4 de la vitesse critique sont étudiées pour différentes variations d'angle entre le balourd et l'orientation de la fissure. Pour citer cet article : J. Gómez-Mancilla et al., C. R. Mecanique 332 (2004).     

Matrices and graphs of essential dependence of proper families of functions

This paper considers proper families of functions, which are used in functional specification of Latin squares of large size over the set of n-dimensional binary vectors. Proper families of functions are studied from the viewpoint of the intrinsic structure of the corresponding graphs of essential dependence and their adjacency matrices. Various necessary and sufficient conditions for a binary matrix to be treated as the adjacency matrix of the graph of essential dependence of a proper family of functions are derived. Also, transformations of matrices are considered under which the indicated property is preserved. It is demonstrated that any directed graph without loops and multiple edges can be embedded as an induced subgraph into the graph of essential dependence of some proper family of functions. Moreover, such embedding is reasonably economical, and the functions of the resulting proper family inherit properties of the functions that realize the original graph as the graph of essential dependence.     

Neutron diffraction at a moving grating as a nonstationary quantum phenomenon

The observation of the discrete energy spectrum in a new experiment on the diffraction of ultracold neutrons at a moving phase grating is reported. The results are in quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions and can be treated as additional evidence of the validity of the plane-wave representation of the initial neutron state.     

Chemoselective acylation of monosubstituted thiacalix[4]arene with di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl dicarbonate

Mono-, di-, and tetrasubstituted derivatives of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene containing tert-butylcarbamate, tert-butylcarbonate, and tert-butyl fragments have been prepared for the first time. Depending on the reaction conditions (reagents ratio, temperature, and the presence of a base), the interaction of the monoamine derivative of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate can lead to the formation of mono-, di-, and tetrasubstituted products.     

p-tert-Butyl thiacalix[4]arenes functionalized at the lower rim by amide, hydroxyl and ester groups as anion receptors

New p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes differently substituted at the lower rim with amide, hydroxyl and ester groups were synthesized. Binding properties of the compounds toward some tetrabutylammonium salts n-Bu(4)NX (X = F(-), Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), CH(3)CO(2)(-), H(2)PO(4)(-), NO(3)(-)) were studied by UV spectroscopy. It was found that the stoichiometry of the complexes, generally, is 1 : 1, and the association constants are in the range of 10(3)-10(5) M(-1). The p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes containing secondary amide groups trisubstituted at the lower rim bind the studied anions most effectively. Selective receptors for fluoride and dihydrogen phosphate salts of tetrabutylammonium were found.