Neutron flux parameters for k0-NAA method at the Malaysian nuclear agency research reactor after core reconfiguration

Abstract

Abstract The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (MNA) research reactor, commissioned in 1982, is a TRIGA Mark II swimming pool type reactor. When the core configuration changed in June 2009, it became essential to re-determine such neutron flux parameters as thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio (ƒ), epithermal neutron flux shape factor (α), thermal neutron flux (φth) and epithermal neutron flux (φepi) in the irradiation positions of MNA research reactor in order to guarantee accuracy in the application of k0-neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA).The ƒ and α were determined using the bare bi-isotopic monitor and bare triple monitor methods, respectively; Au and Zr monitors were utilized in present study. The results for four irradiation positions are presented and discussed in the present work. The calculated values of ƒ and α ranged from 33.49 to 47.33 and −0.07 to −0.14, respectively. The φth and the φepi were measured as 2.03 × 1012 (cm−2 s−1) and 6.05 × 1010 (cm−2 s−1) respectively. These results were compared to those of previous studies at this reactor as well as to those of reactors in other countries. The results indicate a good conformity with other findings.