Impact of High-Reactivity Advanced Test Reactor Experiments on Photon Heating in Nearby Experiment Locations

Journal Article · 11 November 2024 · Nuclear Science and Engineering

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2024.2415813 · OSTI ID:2503954

Gilbreath, Paul E.  ^[1]; Worrall, Michael J. ^[1]; Nielsen, Joseph W. ^[1]; Housley, Greg K. ^[1]

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1. Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

The Advanced Test Reactor’s (ATR’s) distinctive ability to provide a wide range of irradiation conditions is attractive for programs pursuing fuel qualification experiments. These potentially high-fuel-load experiments are a relatively new development and produce unexplored effects on nearby experiments. Here, this paper explores how photon heating of such an experiment may affect other nearby experiment programs, ultimately serving to better inform decisions regarding experiment design and risks to programmatic goals. The MC21 (Monte Carlo for the 21st Century) code is used to model and study how gamma heat generation rates and axial effects impact different ATR positions. The results reveal that the proximity of a given experiment’s position to the high-fuel-load one can significantly alter that experiment’s expected axial profile.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 2503954
• Report Number(s): INL/JOU--24-78075-Rev001
• Journal Information: Nuclear Science and Engineering, Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 200; ISSN 0029-5639
• Publisher: Taylor & FrancisCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English