Fast spectrum materials test reactor with variable neutron spectra in support of next generation nuclear power plant and light water reactor sustainability R&D

A new concept for a fast spectrum Materials Testing Reactor (MTR) is proposed. Its functionality stems from a DOE report outlining performance requirements for a new testing reactor. The utility of various reflectors is analyzed. MgO is shown to be the best reflector; a BeO reflector in particular will cause excessive power peaking and give a lower keffwhen compared to an MgO reflector of the same size. Peak fast flux is >5E15 n/cm2s with a cycle length of one year. The volume of the in-core fast flux irradiation positions is 63,157 cm3.

Physics of Reactors 2016, PHYSOR 2016: Unifying Theory and Experiments in the 21st Century

Fast spectrum materials test reactor with variable neutron spectra in support of next generation nuclear power plant and light water reactor sustainability R&D Conference Paper