Fabrication and testing of a 4-node micro-pocket fission detector array for the Kansas State University TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor

Reichenberger, Michael A.; Nichols, Daniel M.; Stevenson, Sarah R.; Swope, Tanner M.; Hilger, Caden W.; Unruh, Troy C.; McGregor, Douglas S.; Roberts, Jeremy A.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2017.04.047

Title: Fabrication and testing of a 4-node micro-pocket fission detector array for the Kansas State University TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor

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Abstract

Advancements in nuclear reactor core modeling and computational capability have encouraged further development of in-core neutron sensors. Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors (MPFDs) have been fabricated and tested previously, but successful testing of these prior detectors was limited to single-node operation with specialized designs. Described in this work is a modular, four-node MPFD array fabricated and tested at Kansas State University (KSU). The four sensor nodes were equally spaced to span the length of the fuel-region of the KSU TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor core. The encapsulated array was filled with argon gas, serving as an ionization medium in the small cavities of the MPFDs. The unified design improved device ruggedness and simplified construction over previous designs. A 0.315-in. (8-mm) penetration in the upper grid plate of the KSU TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor was used to deploy the array between fuel elements in the core. The MPFD array was coupled to an electronic support system which has been developed to support pulse-mode operation. Neutron-induced pulses were observed on all four sensor channels. Stable device operation was confirmed by testing under steady-state reactor conditions. Each of the four sensors in the array responded to changes in reactor power between 10more »« less

Authors:

Reichenberger, Michael A. ^[1]; Nichols, Daniel M. ^[1]; Stevenson, Sarah R. ^[1]; Swope, Tanner M. ^[1]; Hilger, Caden W. ^[1]; Unruh, Troy C. ^[2]; McGregor, Douglas S. ^[1]; Roberts, Jeremy A. ^[1]

Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, KS (United States). S.M.A.R.T. Lab. Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Dept.
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Publication Date:: Mon May 08 00:00:00 EDT 2017

Research Org.:: Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, KS (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) (United States)

OSTI Identifier:: 1494484

Alternate Identifier(s):: OSTI ID: 1419145

Grant/Contract Number:: NE0008408; NRC-HQ-60-15-G-0004

Resource Type:: Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 862; Journal ID: ISSN 0168-9002

Publisher:: Elsevier

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; 22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS; Micro-Pocket Fission Detector; MPFD; In-Core Flux Monitor; Reactor Instrumentation

Citation Formats


                    Reichenberger, Michael A., Nichols, Daniel M., Stevenson, Sarah R., Swope, Tanner M., Hilger, Caden W., Unruh, Troy C., McGregor, Douglas S., and Roberts, Jeremy A. Fabrication and testing of a 4-node micro-pocket fission detector array for the Kansas State University TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor.  United States: N. p., 2017. 
Web.  doi:10.1016/j.nima.2017.04.047.

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                    Reichenberger, Michael A., Nichols, Daniel M., Stevenson, Sarah R., Swope, Tanner M., Hilger, Caden W., Unruh, Troy C., McGregor, Douglas S., & Roberts, Jeremy A. Fabrication and testing of a 4-node micro-pocket fission detector array for the Kansas State University TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2017.04.047

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                    Reichenberger, Michael A., Nichols, Daniel M., Stevenson, Sarah R., Swope, Tanner M., Hilger, Caden W., Unruh, Troy C., McGregor, Douglas S., and Roberts, Jeremy A. Mon .  
"Fabrication and testing of a 4-node micro-pocket fission detector array for the Kansas State University TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2017.04.047.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1494484.

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@article{osti_1494484,

  title        = {Fabrication and testing of a 4-node micro-pocket fission detector array for the Kansas State University TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor},

  author       = {Reichenberger, Michael A. and Nichols, Daniel M. and Stevenson, Sarah R. and Swope, Tanner M. and Hilger, Caden W. and Unruh, Troy C. and McGregor, Douglas S. and Roberts, Jeremy A.},

  abstractNote = {Advancements in nuclear reactor core modeling and computational capability have encouraged further development of in-core neutron sensors. Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors (MPFDs) have been fabricated and tested previously, but successful testing of these prior detectors was limited to single-node operation with specialized designs. Described in this work is a modular, four-node MPFD array fabricated and tested at Kansas State University (KSU). The four sensor nodes were equally spaced to span the length of the fuel-region of the KSU TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor core. The encapsulated array was filled with argon gas, serving as an ionization medium in the small cavities of the MPFDs. The unified design improved device ruggedness and simplified construction over previous designs. A 0.315-in. (8-mm) penetration in the upper grid plate of the KSU TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor was used to deploy the array between fuel elements in the core. The MPFD array was coupled to an electronic support system which has been developed to support pulse-mode operation. Neutron-induced pulses were observed on all four sensor channels. Stable device operation was confirmed by testing under steady-state reactor conditions. Each of the four sensors in the array responded to changes in reactor power between 10 kWth and full power (750 kWth). Reactor power transients were observed in real-time including positive transients with periods of 5, 15, and 30 s. Manual reactor power oscillations were observed in real-time.},

  doi          = {10.1016/j.nima.2017.04.047},

  journal      = {Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment},

  number       = ,

  volume       = 862,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Mon May 08 00:00:00 EDT 2017},

  month        = {Mon May 08 00:00:00 EDT 2017}

}

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