Abstract
In order to accurately design a CaH2 moderated small high-temperature reactor, it is necessary to experimentally confirm the temperature-dependent thermal neutron spectrum in the CaH2 moderator material. To obtain the temperature-dependent thermal neutron spectrum in the CaH2, we have carried out the neutron scattering experiment using the TOF method at the Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science - Linear Accelerator (KURNS-LINAC). In present experiment, we raised the temperature of the CaH2 from a room temperature 294 k to 392 K and 565 K, and obtained the change of the thermal neutron TOF spectrum for the increase of temperature. The obtained thermal neutron TOF spectra in the CaH2 are compared with the calculated results using the Monte-Carlo simulation code MCNP-6.2.
Highlights
In order to provide reliable energy for the space exploration such as human missions to the moon and Mars, the nuclear reactor has been proposed as a space power system
Lightweight and high-power energy in a space reactor, a new concept of the small hightemperature nuclear reactor using the solid moderator has been studied by Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) [1]
In order to measure the temperature-dependent thermal neutron spectrum, we have carried out the neutron scattering experiment using the time-of-flight (TOF) method at the Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science - Linear Accelerator (KURNS-LINAC)
Summary
In order to provide reliable energy for the space exploration such as human missions to the moon and Mars, the nuclear reactor has been proposed as a space power system. Lightweight and high-power energy in a space reactor, a new concept of the small hightemperature nuclear reactor using the solid moderator has been studied by Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) [1]. As the solid moderator to use a new space reactor, the calcium-hydride (CaH2), which is one of moderator materials to produce a thermal neutron spectrum and have a high decomposition temperature, 1273 K, was selected for the high-temperature operation. Because the nominal operation temperature of the reactor core is raised to about 1073 K in the new concept design, the reactivity of the CaH2 moderated reactor is greatly contributed to the temperature-dependent thermal neutron spectrum in the moderator [2].
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