Beryllium - A Unique Material in Nuclear Applications

Conference · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 2004

OSTI ID:910826

T, A Tomberlin

Beryllium, due to its unique combination of structural, chemical, atomic number, and neutron absorption cross section characteristics, has been used successfully as a neutron reflector for three generations of nuclear test reactors at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), the largest test reactor in the world, has utilized five successive beryllium neutron reflectors and is scheduled for continued operation with a sixth beryllium reflector. A high radiation environment in a test reactor produces radiation damage and other changes in beryllium. These changes necessitate safety analysis of the beryllium, methods to predict performance, and appropriate surveillances. Other nuclear applications also utilize beryllium. Beryllium, given its unique atomic, physical, and chemical characteristics, is widely used as a “window” for x-rays and gamma rays. Beryllium, intimately mixed with high-energy alpha radiation emitters has been successfully used to produce neutron sources. This paper addresses operational experience and methodologies associated with the use of beryllium in nuclear test reactors and in “windows” for x-rays and gamma rays. Other nuclear applications utilizing beryllium are also discussed.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - NE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-99ID13727
• OSTI ID: 910826
• Report Number(s): INEEL/CON-04-01869
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ABSORPTION
ATOMIC NUMBER
BERYLLIUM
CROSS SECTIONS
INEEL
Metals
Modeling Methodology
Structural Analysis
NEUTRON REFLECTORS
NEUTRON SOURCES
NEUTRONS
PERFORMANCE
RADIATIONS
SAFETY ANALYSIS
TEST REACTORS