Conceptual design study of the low power and LEU medical reactor for BNCT using in-tank fission converter to increase epithermal flux

Abstract

A preliminary design of LPMR with unique FC facility, for increasing epithermal flux, similar to a MNSR core is investigated. The U3Si2-Al fuel with enrichment of 18.75% is optimized as LEU fuel. Important neutronics parameters are calculated to investigate safety of the LPMR. The optimization of the FC and BSA are performed. Presence of 34 FC rods increase epithermal flux by 22.14%. The beam parameters are ϕepi=1.01×109n.cm−2.s−1, φth/φepi=0.033, D˙fn/φepi=1.83×10-13(Gy.cm2/n) and D˙γ/φepi=1.47×10-13(Gy.cm2/n) that can satisfy the IAEA requirements of a medical reactor.