INSTITUTE FOR NUCLEAR RESEARCHPITESTI – ROMANIA 

High Resolution Gamma Ray Spectrometry and Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratory

Dumitru BĂRBOS barbos@scn.ro

Constantin PĂUNOIU

http://www.scn.ro

--Laboratory is included in the TRIGA Reactor departmentLaboratory is included in the TRIGA Reactor department

--PersonelPersonel :drd. Constantin PĂUNOIU, drd.Dumitru B :drd. Constantin PĂUNOIU, drd.Dumitru BĂĂRBOSRBOS

Irradiation facilities:

a)    TRIGA SSR 14MW Reactor

b)    TRIGA ACPR Reactor

TRIGA-ACPR REACTOR

CHARACTERISTICSThe ACPR Reactor has two irradiation channels. The central tube ( Φ=304mm, The ACPR Reactor has two irradiation channels. The central tube ( Φ=304mm,

h=228mm) and the pneumatic rabbit in D10 channel.h=228mm) and the pneumatic rabbit in D10 channel.

In the stationary operation mode at 100KW in the central tube the thermal In the stationary operation mode at 100KW in the central tube the thermal neutron flux is:neutron flux is:

ΦΦthth = 5*10 = 5*101111n/cmn/cm2*2*secsec

and the cadmium ratio for this location is:and the cadmium ratio for this location is:

RRcdcd = 1.15 = 1.15

In the same operation conditions the unperturbed thermal neutron flux in the In the same operation conditions the unperturbed thermal neutron flux in the pneumatic rabbit channel is:pneumatic rabbit channel is:

ΦΦthth = 7.6*10 = 7.6*101111n/cmn/cm2*2*secsec

and the cadmium ratio is:and the cadmium ratio is:

RRcdcd = 1.78 = 1.78

The TRIGA SSR REACTOR

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

H16

H13

H4

H27

H11

H33

H36

H31

H1

H15

R-5

H37

L45

L39

L38

L2

H34

R-7

H3

H28

R-3

L44

R-2

H21

H26

H22

H30

L32

L46

L47

L49

H25

H12

H14

H18

R-1

L42

L40

R-4

H17

H6

A B C D E F G H I J K

CHARACTERISTICS

The maximum thermal neutron flux available The maximum thermal neutron flux available in one of the in core location, namely XC-1 in one of the in core location, namely XC-1 water filled, is:water filled, is:

ΦΦthth = 2.7*10 = 2.7*101414n/cmn/cm22*sec*sec

and the cadmium ratio is:and the cadmium ratio is:

RRcdcd = 3.08 = 3.08

The thermal flux in the beryllium holes for 10MW reactor The thermal flux in the beryllium holes for 10MW reactor power.power.

LocationLocation: a)J7: Φ: a)J7: Φthth = 6.4*10 = 6.4*101313n/cmn/cm2*2*secsec

RRcdcd = 2.3 = 2.3

f = Φf = Φthth/ Φ/ Φ

epiepi = 15.2 (measured using Zr foil = 15.2 (measured using Zr foil

detector)detector)

b) K11: Φb) K11: Φthth = 9.54*10 = 9.54*101212n/cmn/cm2*2*secsec

RRcdcd = 4.15 = 4.15

f = Φf = Φthth/ Φ/ Φ

epiepi = 42.3 ( measured using Zr = 42.3 ( measured using Zr foil detector)foil detector)

IRRADIATION DEVICES For ACPR ReactorFor ACPR Reactor: : A pneumatic rabbit for TRIGA A pneumatic rabbit for TRIGA

ACPR reactor. The dimensions of cartridge used in this ACPR reactor. The dimensions of cartridge used in this pneumatic rabbit are : Φ14 h190mm. The pneumatic rabbit pneumatic rabbit are : Φ14 h190mm. The pneumatic rabbit may be operated manually or automatically timed.may be operated manually or automatically timed.

SSR SSR Reactor:Reactor: For the beryllium channels, is available For the beryllium channels, is available another pneumatic rabbit with cartridge dimensions of : another pneumatic rabbit with cartridge dimensions of : Φ12 h=30mm. This pneumatic rabbit is manually operated.Φ12 h=30mm. This pneumatic rabbit is manually operated.

Another irradiation device, also of pneumatic rabbit type, Another irradiation device, also of pneumatic rabbit type, is provided with an underwater storage rack having a is provided with an underwater storage rack having a capacity of 12 cartridges. It also has an automatic timing capacity of 12 cartridges. It also has an automatic timing control.control.

GAMMA RAY SECTROMETERS AND SOFTWARE ANALYSIS PACKAGE

Three high-resolution gamma ray Three high-resolution gamma ray spectrometers are available. All gamma ray spectrometers are available. All gamma ray detectors are HpGe type having relative detectors are HpGe type having relative efficiency of ~20% and V~100cmc.efficiency of ~20% and V~100cmc.

Two of the spectrometry chains are provided Two of the spectrometry chains are provided with an AQUSPEC multi-channel analyzer with an AQUSPEC multi-channel analyzer and GENIE2000 software analysis package. and GENIE2000 software analysis package.

NAA METHOD For NAA the method of multi-isotope foil For NAA the method of multi-isotope foil

standardization ( Zr method) was implemented. The standardization ( Zr method) was implemented. The method was checked through SRM samples method was checked through SRM samples irradiation ( basalt rock, code BE-N) and of a sample irradiation ( basalt rock, code BE-N) and of a sample kit supplied by Reactor Experiments. Same samples kit supplied by Reactor Experiments. Same samples were also measured through ICPMS. The samples were also measured through ICPMS. The samples are weighted by the means of METTLER TOLEDO are weighted by the means of METTLER TOLEDO AX205 scale.AX205 scale.

The QA system is also implemented in the current The QA system is also implemented in the current activities of the laboratory activities of the laboratory

The laboratory accreditation process is undergoing.The laboratory accreditation process is undergoing.