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U.S. Department of Energy
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Development of Fast Spectrum Irradiation Facility for Fuels Development in the High Flux Isotope Reactor

Conference ·
OSTI ID:931155
A concept for a fast spectrum irradiation facility has been developed for insertion in the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The design is based on the very large fast flux that is available in this reactor combined with the use of a strongly-absorbing thermal neutron shield. The preferred concept from the several considered consists of a three-pin design surrounded by a Eu{sub 2}O{sub 3} thermal neutron shield located in the reactor flux trap. Preliminary analyses showed that this concept can provide a fast flux larger than 1x10{sup 15} n/cm{sup 2}{center_dot}s and a fast-to-thermal flux ratio greater than 300 while having an acceptable impact on the HFIR operation. Additional analyses are necessary to confirm that this design is feasible and meets the requirements for fast fuel irradiation. If the design proves to be suitable, it can provide a relatively low-cost, near-term capability.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Sponsoring Organization:
NE USDOE - Office of Nuclear Energy
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
931155
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English