An Observer-Theoretic Approach to Estimating Neutron Flux and Precursor Spatial Distributions

Abstract

This paper describes a method for estimating the flux and precursor spatial distributions using only limited flux measurements. It is based on the Luenberger observer in control theory, extended to the distributed parameter systems such as the space-time reactor dynamics equation. The results of the application of the method to simple reactor models showed that the flux distribution could be estimated by the observer very efficiently using information from only a few sensors.