A proposed MAPLE source replacement for the McMaster Nuclear Reactor
The McMaster nuclear reactor (MNR) is a swimming pool reactor manufactured by AMF Atomics in the late 1950s. Licensed to operate at up to 5 MW of power, MNR is primarily used for research programs employing extracted neutron beams for neutron scattering experiments and for neutron activation analysis. Isotopes, such as {sup 18}F, are also produced for research and medical purposes. The present neutron source uses standard light-water-cooled, -moderated, and -reflected materials test reactor plate-type fuel shielded by the pool water and 2 m of barite concrete located in a concrete containment building. At 5-MW operating power the perturbed thermal flux at a beam tube nose is {approximately}5 {times} 10{sup 12} n/cm{sup 2}{center dot}S. This neutronic performance is inadequate for many extracted-beam programs. The neutron fluxes externally available are limited by the relatively large volume of the core and by the light water reflector. Since the radial beam tubes have a relatively high gamma and fast neutron component, the thermal flux from them may also be further limited by the need for filtration. In order to enhance this available thermal flux, it is proposed that the current core be replaced by a MAPLE-10 reactor core and reflector tank. As the MNR facilities, pool, containment building, primary cooling system, and secondary cooling system are in excellent condition, it is feasible to achieve this flux enhancement by replacing just the reactor structure and control system with a MAPLE-10 reactor structure and control system.
- OSTI ID:
- 5227412
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-890833-; TRN: 90-002507
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Supplement; (USA), Vol. 59; Conference: 14. biennial conference on reactor operating experience: plant operations - the human element, Charlotte, NC (USA), 6-9 Aug 1989
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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REACTOR CORES
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
CONCRETES
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DESIGN
MODERATELY ENRICHED URANIUM
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NEUTRON REFLECTORS
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RESEARCH PROGRAMS
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CONTAINMENT
COOLING SYSTEMS
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ENRICHED URANIUM
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
IRRADIATION REACTORS
ISOTOPE ENRICHED MATERIALS
ISOTOPE PRODUCTION REACTORS
MATERIALS
METALS
POOL TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
RESEARCH REACTORS
SILICIDES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
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