How does the use of burnable absorbers reduce the need for control rods?

Burnable absorbers reduce the need for control rods by managing the excess reactivity present at the beginning of a fuel cycle. Fresh fuel loaded into a reactor core contains a higher concentration of fissile material (like Uranium-235), making the core more reactive than it needs to be for sustained operation. Control rods are used to absorb neutrons and reduce reactivity, but relying solely on control rods to manage this initial excess reactivity has drawbacks. Inserting ....