Slant tube characterization for the implementation of k(0) - standardization in Nigerian Reseach Reactor-1

Abstract

The result for large sample irradiation are continuously piping into the Center for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Therefore, characterization of the irradiation channels that can accommodate large samples become a challenge. In the first series of trial for large samples irradiation through slant tube of NIRR-1 which is a miniature research reactor is necessary in order to compare with some standard values reported by the arena of researchers including nuclear regulatory bodies. The thermal to epithermal flux ratio (f), epithermal neutron flux distribution parameters (α) were determined using two slant tube channels of NIRR-1. The adopted methodology here is bared and cadmium covered monitor foils method. The vertical dipstick higher purity germanium detector (HPGE) was calibrated and used for the calculation. The f and α values were calculated as 111.8 and -0.04977 respectively. The good agreement between the certified and experimental values of the shaping factors was achieved.