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Performance improvement of the Annular Core Pulse Reactor for reactor safety experiments

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7149499

The Annular Core Pulse Reactor (ACPR) is a TRIGA type reactor which has been in operation at Sandia Laboratories since 1967. The reactor is utilized in a wide variety of experimental programs which include radiation effects, neutron radiography, activation analysis, and fast reactor safety. During the past several years, the ACPR has become an important experimental facility for the United States Fast Reactor Safety Research Program and questions of interest to the safety of the LMFBR are being addressed. In order to enhance the capabilities of the ACPR for reactor safety experiments, a project to improve the performance of the reactor was initiated. It is anticipated that the pulse fluence can be increased by a factor of 2.0 to 2.5 utilizing a two-region core concept with high heat capacity fuel elements around the central irradiation cavity. In addition, the steady-state power of the reactor will be increased by about a factor of two. The new features of the improvements are described.

Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, N.Mex. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
E(29-1)-789
OSTI ID:
7149499
Report Number(s):
SAND-76-5420; CONF-761001-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English