Abstract
An oil-free vacuum system capable of achieving vacuum levels of 10−6 Torr for in-pile experiments has been constructed at the pool-type Battelle Research Reactor (BRR). The pumping system which is mounted on a moveable bridge above the pool surface, consists of a 7500 liter/sec titanium sublimation pump and two 350-liter/sec triode-type ion pumps; system roughing is accomplished with a roots-type blower with a double-walled liquid nitrogen trap. Nine meters of 20.3-cm (8-in.) diam vacuum piping connect the pumping system to a test chamber at the core level. Test chamber geometry can be varied to fit either a 7.62×7.62-cm test cell or the core face. Neutron fluxes of 2×1013 neutron/cm2⋅sec (thermal) and 1×1013 neutron/cm2⋅sec (fast) are available and the maximum gamma rate is 108 R/h. Adjustments of desired gamma/neutron ratio are made by employing appropriate shielding at the core face. Irradiation effects on the performance of electro-mechanical components for space nuclear power systems have been studied at elevated temperatures (620–820 K) and a full-scale nuclear fueled thermionic diode is currently being prepared for irradiation in the system.
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