Pulsed Fast Reactor IBR-2 after Modernization
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ulsed Fast Reactor IBR-2 after Modernization V. Shvetsova, * a
Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Moscow oblast, 141980 Russia *e-mail: [email protected] Received July 17, 2019; revised August 27, 2019; accepted September 20, 2019
Abstract—Condensed matter study using nuclear physics methods is one of the main research areas at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), which is stated in the JINR Charter. Since the mid-sixties of the last century, such studies have been successfully carried out at the pulsed reactors/boosters of the JINR. The IBR-2, a powerful high-flux pulsed reactor of periodic operation, was commissioned in 1984 at an average power of 2 MW. In 2007, the reactor reached the service life limit on fuel burn up and fluence on the reactor vessel and was shut down for modernization and replacement of the main equipment. The goal of the modernization was to improve the safety, reliability and experimental possibilities of the reactor for the next 25 yrs of operation. By 2010, the installation of new equipment was completed and followed by a successful physical and power startup. Since 2011, the modernized IBR-2 reactor resumed its operation as a user facility. The IBR-2 reactor with its unique technical approach produces one of the most intense neutron fluxes at the moderator surface among the world’s neutron sources: 1016 n/cm2/s, with a peak power of 1850 MW in pulse. Current status of the reactor, neutron scattering instruments, other experimental facilities and experimental infrastructure will be presented. The designated service lifetime of the IBR-2 will end towards 2030. To keep the experience in the field of condensed matter investigations and to provide a neutron source that complements the steady state PIK reactor, JINR has started activities dedicated to the conceptual design of a new advanced pulsed neutron source at the world level. The parameters of a new source and technical approaches will also be given in the article. Keywords: neutron scattering, neutron instrumentation, high-flux pulsed reactor, high flux neutron booster DOI: 10.1134/S1027451020070435
INTRODUCTION The widespread use of neutron scattering techniques for studying the atomic and magnetic structure of solids began after the end of the World War II with the use of research nuclear reactors. Already in the first studies, the main differences between neutron and X-ray scattering techniques were revealed, namely, the sensitivity of neutrons to the isotopic composition and magnetic properties of objects under study [1, 2]. The construction of specialized reactors with extracted neutron beams dates back to the 1960s. For example, in the USA, the construction of a highflux beam reactor at BNL began in 1961, and in 1965 the reactor went critical. This was the first heavy water moderated reactor in which the maximum thermal neutron flux density was reached at a certain distance from the core, which made it possible to place the head parts of the neutron ports in this area
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