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Optimization of conditions for topaz irradiation in the WWR-K reactor Cover

Optimization of conditions for topaz irradiation in the WWR-K reactor

Open Access
|Jun 2024

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1.

Layout of the irradiation device: (a) appearance; (b) three-dimensional cross-sectional image.
Layout of the irradiation device: (a) appearance; (b) three-dimensional cross-sectional image.

Fig. 2.

Appearance of a sandwich screen made of tantalum foil and boron carbide: 1 – screen made of boron carbide, 2 – screen made of tantalum, 3 – end tantalum screen of a round shape, 4 – screen of boron carbide of a round shape, 5 – view of a sandwich screen assembled.
Appearance of a sandwich screen made of tantalum foil and boron carbide: 1 – screen made of boron carbide, 2 – screen made of tantalum, 3 – end tantalum screen of a round shape, 4 – screen of boron carbide of a round shape, 5 – view of a sandwich screen assembled.

Fig. 3.

The core of the critical facility. AD, aluminum displacer; CR, type 2 fuel assemblies with an absorbing rod; FA, type 1 fuel assemblies; IC, irradiation channel; NS, neutron source.
The core of the critical facility. AD, aluminum displacer; CR, type 2 fuel assemblies with an absorbing rod; FA, type 1 fuel assemblies; IC, irradiation channel; NS, neutron source.

Fig. 4.

Non-irradiated topaz.
Non-irradiated topaz.

Fig. 5.

Dynamics of changes in the induced activity of a tantalum monitor.
Dynamics of changes in the induced activity of a tantalum monitor.

The flux density of thermal and fast neutrons in the layout of the irradiation device

ConfigurationNeutron flux density (cm−2·s−1)
En <0.625 eVEn >1.15 MeV
Empty layout(1.28 ± 0.11) × 109(2.38 ± 0.20) × 108
Layout with topaz(8.76 ± 0.62) × 108(2.45 ± 0.19) × 108
Model with boron carbide screen and topaz(1.72 ± 0.14) × 108(2.15 ± 0.18) × 108
Layout with sandwich screen and topaz(1.54 ± 0.62) × 108(2.28 ± 0.17) × 108

Nuclear physical characteristics of activation detectors

Detector typeGoldIndium
Neutron energy regionThermalFast
Energy threshold0 ≤ En ≤ 0.625 eVEn >1.15 MeV
Nuclear reactions197Au(n,γ)198Au115In(n,n′)115mIn
Half-life2.696 days4.486 h
Reaction cross-section (barn)98.70.286

Critical facility characteristics

Reactor typeTank
Thermal power (W)100
ReflectorLight water and/or beryllium
ModeratorLight water and/or beryllium
Maximum thermal neutron flux (cm−2·s−1)3 × 109
Maximum fast neutron flux (cm−2·s−1)2 × 108
Fuel compositionUO2 + Al
U-235 enrichment (%)19.7
Experimental channel’s diameter (mm)65, 96, 140

Radionuclide composition of topaz after each stage of experiments

Layout typeSpecific activity (Bq·g−1)
Ga-72 (T1/2 = 14.1 h)Na-24 (T1/2 = 14.9 h)Ta-182 (T1/2 = 114 days)
Layout without a screen1290 ± 7028 658 ± 114623 ± 3
Layout with boron carbide screen316 ± 1612 600 ± 44715 ± 4
Layout with sandwich screen302 ± 4313 666 ± 548
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/nuka-2024-0019 | Journal eISSN: 1508-5791 | Journal ISSN: 0029-5922
Language: English
Page range: 129 - 133
Submitted on: Oct 3, 2023
Accepted on: Feb 15, 2024
Published on: Jun 25, 2024
Published by: Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2024 Darkhan S. Sairanbayev, Asset A. Shaimerdenov, Magzhan T. Aitkulov, Shamil Kh. Gizatulin, published by Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.