design and implementation of a reactor physics laboratory simulation software

the basic structure of a reactor physics laboratory environment simulation software, developed using object modeling technique (omt), and based on the reactor point kinetic equation, is presented. also, various capabilities of the simulator in teaching the fundamental concepts of reactor physics are discussed. in this virtual laboratory, student can perform seven different experiments, namely, reactor start up and control, critical mass measurement, critical thermal power measurement, control rod reactivity worth measurement, fuel poisons effects, reactor core void effects, and fine control rod drop. the user-friendly software and the technical instructions embedded provide a convenient environment for performing the experiments. the result presentation, in text and graphical format, both during and after the experiments, is another facility making the software powerful and an easy-to-use educational software.