Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Measurement of the Cadmium Ratio in Esfahan Heavy Water Zero Power Reactor and Comparison of the Values Obtained in Two Different Pitches

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

M. H Esteki
J Khorsandi
M. H Esteki
P Kaviani
Abstract
 Measurement of cadmium ratio is one of the basic parameters in nuclear reactors. In this paper, the amount of cadmium ratio for the Esfahan Heavy Water Zero Power Reactor (EHWZPR) in two pitches of 18 and 20cm have been measured. For the cadmium ratio measurements Mn-Ni foils were used. The activity of the Mn-Ni foils were obtained by plastic scintillator and NaI(Tl) detectors for beta and gamma rays. Also, changes of the cadmium ratio in the axial direction of the reactor, asymptotic region or stable spectrum were obtained. The length of stable spectrum of the reactor increased to approximately 19cm, in pitch of 20 to 18, due to the reduced number of fuel rods and critical height of heavy water. To verify the measured values, the Esfahan Heavy Water Zero Power Reactor was simulated with the MCNPX-2.6.0 code. The  results of simulation were in good agreement with those of the experiments.
 

Keywords

Zero Power Reactor
Cadmium Ratio
Manganese Foil
Asymptotic Region
Heavy Water
Neutron Activation
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