Pre-conceptual Design Activities of the NIST Neutron Source: Simulations of Neutron Beam Characteristics of the Proposed NIST Neutron Source

Published

February 27, 2024

Author(s)

Jeremy Cook, Charles F. Majkrzak, Hubert King

Abstract

This technical note is part of a series of notes describing preliminary analyses and planning for the pre-conceptual design of a reactor to replace, in due course, the National Bureau of Standards Reactor (NBSR) at the NIST Center for Neutron Research. The replacement reactor, namely the NIST Neutron Source (NNS), is currently planned to be a 20 Megawatts thermal power, pool-type compact core, cooled and moderated by light water (H2O) and fueled with low-enriched U-10Mo. The core consists of nine fuel assemblies in a three-by-three square lattice encased in a chimney and is surrounded by a heavy water (D2O) filled reflector tank that contains two liquid deuterium (LD2) cold neutron sources on opposite sides of the core. The report outlines preliminary studies undertaken to assess the thermal and cold neutron beam performance of a pre-conceptual design of the NNS. The results demonstrate the possibility and feasibility for significant performance enhancements of the NNS for a similar scale reactor core that builds on experience with the NBSR design. Further improvements and optimizations will be explored later as the NNS design evolves.

Citation

Technical Note (NIST TN) - 2284

Report Number

2284

NIST Pub Series

Technical Note (NIST TN)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2284

Local Download

Keywords

Cold Neutrons, Cold Neutron Sources, Neutron Guides, Neutron Research, Research Reactors, Thermal Neutrons

Citation

Cook, J. , Majkrzak, C. and King, H. (2024), Pre-conceptual Design Activities of the NIST Neutron Source: Simulations of Neutron Beam Characteristics of the Proposed NIST Neutron Source, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2284, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=956977 (Accessed April 27, 2024)