Operating Strategy for Maintaining an Optimum Power Distribution Throughout Life

A method of operation developed for maintaining a minimum power peaking factor throughout the operating cycle of a power reactor is described. The basic operating principle for peaking factor minimization is presented, and its use in the design phase to compare and set design parameters and in the operational phase to establish control rod patterns is outlined. The method will (hopefully) increase the power density in the Big Rock Point Reactor. (D.C.W.)