Analysis of Nigeria Research Reactor-1 Thermal Power Calibration Methods

The Nigerian Research Reactor-1 (Nirr-1) Power and Isothermal Temperature Parameters Measurements

“…The isothermal temperature is a very important physical parameter that enables us calculate the reactivity defect when the reactor is loaded or beryllium shims are added. Since commissioning of NIRR-1 in 2004, several studies by different scholars have been made to determine its thermal power calibration conversion (Asuku et al, 2020), Thermal Power Calibration Methods (Agbo et al, 2016), peak temperatures under several reactivity accidents test (Salawu and Balogun, 2017), burn-up and core life time expectancy (Yahaya et al, 2017) as well as its radial and axial neutron flux distribution (Musa et al, 2012). Despite these efforts, studies on measurements of NIRR-1 power and isothermal temperatures parameters is still very scanty according to the existing literatures in spite of its usefulness in experimental work as well as its utilizations.…”

“…It first criticality was achieved in February, 2004 (Ahmed, et al, 2010). NIRR-1 which is fuel with high enriched uranium-235 in an Al cladding has a type Tank-in-pool of highest/full power ~30,000W being equivalent to thermal neutron flux of 1000𝐺 n.cm -2 .s -1 in each of the irradiation 5 inner channels (Yang, 1992;Agbo et al, 2016;Ahmed et al, 2008). In any miniature neutron source reactor, there are 374 fuel rods in its central core, 3 dummy elements with 4 tie rods unvarying spread on overall of 10 concentric circles.…”

“…Cadmium which performs the functions of shim, safety and regulatory control remains the single control rod for NIRR-1 and is cladded using a stainless steel. Its safety and compatibility properties make it possible to be mounted in a densely populated community without any harm and danger to the inhabitants of the area (Qazi et al, 1996 andAgbo et al, 2016). Detail description of NIRR-1 is shown in Table 1.…”

“…Isothermal temperature measurements of a research reactor is the determination of the actual reactor power as a result of the fission reactions taking place in the core of the reactor which can be achieved by using neutron measuring instruments that measure the neutron flux in the core using fission chambers. The importance of correct power calibration of a nuclear reactor is for safe monitoring and dynamic behavior evaluation, burnup fuel determination, as well as dose rate and neutron fluxes normalization (Asuku et al, 2020, Agbo et al, 2016. FUDMA Journal of Sciences (FJS) ISSN online: 2616-1370ISSN print: 2645-2944Vol.…”

Investigating Possibilities of fuelling NIRR-1 with Low Enriched Uranium Silicide-Aluminum Dispersion Fuels

“…Note that the Nigeria research reactor is a tank in pool type Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) with a pin type fuel geometry, designed and supplied by China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC) and used for scientific research, neutron activation analysis, education and training (Chakrov and Hanlon, 2018). Detailed descriptions of the geometry specifications and design parameters of this reactor have been published in several literature materials that are available online (Salawu, 2014, Agbo et al, 2016, Yusuf, 2018, Salawu and Balogun, 2017, and WNN, 2019.…”