First in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor

Gamma rays in nuclear reactors, arising either from nuclear reactions or decay processes, significantly contribute to the heating and dose of the reactor components. Zero power research reactors offer the possibility to measure gamma rays in a purely neutronic environment, allowing for validation ex...

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Autores principales:	Pakari Oskari, Lamirand Vincent, Mager Tom, Laureau Axel, Frajtag Pavel, Pautz Andreas
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	EDP Sciences 2021
Materias:	gamma spectroscopy zero power research reactor Physics QC1-999
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/d90cc9c6374e416a8f5e005a7465264f
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:d90cc9c6374e416a8f5e005a7465264f2021-12-02T17:12:46ZFirst in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor2100-014X10.1051/epjconf/202125304022https://doaj.org/article/d90cc9c6374e416a8f5e005a7465264f2021-01-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.epj-conferences.org/articles/epjconf/pdf/2021/07/epjconf_animma2021_04022.pdfhttps://doaj.org/toc/2100-014XGamma rays in nuclear reactors, arising either from nuclear reactions or decay processes, significantly contribute to the heating and dose of the reactor components. Zero power research reactors offer the possibility to measure gamma rays in a purely neutronic environment, allowing for validation experiments of dose estimates, computed spectra, and prompt to delayed gamma ratios. The resulting data can contribute to models, code validation and photo atomic/nuclear data evaluation. To date, most experiments have relied on flux measurements using TLDs, ionization chambers, or spectrometers set in low flux areas. The CROCUS reactor allows for flexible detector placement in and around the core, and has recently been outfitted with gamma detection capabilities to fulfill the need for in-core gamma spectroscopy, as opposed to flux. In this paper we report on the experiments and accompanying simulations of gamma spectrum measurements inside a zero power reactor core, CROCUS. It is a two-zone, uranium-fueled light water moderated facility operated by the Laboratory for Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour (LRS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). Herein we also introduce, in detail, the new LEAF system: A Large Energy-resolving detection Array for Fission gammas. It consists of an array of four detectors – two large ø 127 254 mm Bismuth Germanate (BGO) and two smaller ø 12 50 mm Cerium Bromide (CeBr3) scintillators. We describe the calibration and characterization of LEAF followed by first in-core measurements of gamma ray spectra in a zero power reactor at different sub-critical and critical states, and different locations. The spectra are then compared to code results, namely MCNP6.2 pulse height tallies. We were able to distinguish prompt processes and delayed peaks from decay databases. We present thus experimental data from hitherto inaccessible core regions. We provide the data as validation means for codes that attempt to model these processes for energies up to 10 MeV. We finally draw conclusions and discuss the future uses of LEAF. The results indicate the possibility of isotope tracking and burn-up validation.Pakari OskariLamirand VincentMager TomLaureau AxelFrajtag PavelPautz AndreasEDP Sciencesarticlegamma spectroscopyzero power research reactorPhysicsQC1-999ENEPJ Web of Conferences, Vol 253, p 04022 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	gamma spectroscopy zero power research reactor Physics QC1-999
spellingShingle	gamma spectroscopy zero power research reactor Physics QC1-999 Pakari Oskari Lamirand Vincent Mager Tom Laureau Axel Frajtag Pavel Pautz Andreas First in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor
description	Gamma rays in nuclear reactors, arising either from nuclear reactions or decay processes, significantly contribute to the heating and dose of the reactor components. Zero power research reactors offer the possibility to measure gamma rays in a purely neutronic environment, allowing for validation experiments of dose estimates, computed spectra, and prompt to delayed gamma ratios. The resulting data can contribute to models, code validation and photo atomic/nuclear data evaluation. To date, most experiments have relied on flux measurements using TLDs, ionization chambers, or spectrometers set in low flux areas. The CROCUS reactor allows for flexible detector placement in and around the core, and has recently been outfitted with gamma detection capabilities to fulfill the need for in-core gamma spectroscopy, as opposed to flux. In this paper we report on the experiments and accompanying simulations of gamma spectrum measurements inside a zero power reactor core, CROCUS. It is a two-zone, uranium-fueled light water moderated facility operated by the Laboratory for Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour (LRS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). Herein we also introduce, in detail, the new LEAF system: A Large Energy-resolving detection Array for Fission gammas. It consists of an array of four detectors – two large ø 127 254 mm Bismuth Germanate (BGO) and two smaller ø 12 50 mm Cerium Bromide (CeBr3) scintillators. We describe the calibration and characterization of LEAF followed by first in-core measurements of gamma ray spectra in a zero power reactor at different sub-critical and critical states, and different locations. The spectra are then compared to code results, namely MCNP6.2 pulse height tallies. We were able to distinguish prompt processes and delayed peaks from decay databases. We present thus experimental data from hitherto inaccessible core regions. We provide the data as validation means for codes that attempt to model these processes for energies up to 10 MeV. We finally draw conclusions and discuss the future uses of LEAF. The results indicate the possibility of isotope tracking and burn-up validation.
format	article
author	Pakari Oskari Lamirand Vincent Mager Tom Laureau Axel Frajtag Pavel Pautz Andreas
author_facet	Pakari Oskari Lamirand Vincent Mager Tom Laureau Axel Frajtag Pavel Pautz Andreas
author_sort	Pakari Oskari
title	First in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor
title_short	First in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor
title_full	First in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor
title_fullStr	First in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor
title_full_unstemmed	First in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor
title_sort	first in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor
publisher	EDP Sciences
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/d90cc9c6374e416a8f5e005a7465264f
work_keys_str_mv	AT pakarioskari firstincoregammaspectroscopyexperimentsinazeropowerreactor AT lamirandvincent firstincoregammaspectroscopyexperimentsinazeropowerreactor AT magertom firstincoregammaspectroscopyexperimentsinazeropowerreactor AT laureauaxel firstincoregammaspectroscopyexperimentsinazeropowerreactor AT frajtagpavel firstincoregammaspectroscopyexperimentsinazeropowerreactor AT pautzandreas firstincoregammaspectroscopyexperimentsinazeropowerreactor
_version_	1718381410182496256

First in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor

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