Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Experiments

This open access book is a pedagogical text on nuclear reactor experiments, covering almost all the experiments that can be carried out at the University Training Reactor, Kindai University (UTR-KINKI) with respect to reactor physics and radiation detection, and additionally including academic materials of test and research reactors, nuclear instrumentation, nuclear laws and regulations, in this main body. The book is an excellent primer for students who are interested in reactor physics, radiation detection, nuclear laws and regulations at universities, and the best textbook for students who have started to study the nuclear energy related fields to understand the basic theories and principles of the experiments in the fields of reactor physics and radiation detection. UTR-KINKI has been used for educational reactor experiments and basic research in a wide range of fields related to the use of radiation (neutrons, gamma-ray, beta-ray, alpha-ray, and X-ray), including reactor physics, radiation detection, radiation health physics, activation analysis, radiation biology, medical applications and archaeology. Also, UTR-KINKI has been actively engaged in nuclear education with its long history of operation, and has gained extensive experience in educational activities for undergraduate and graduate students, elementary, junior high and high school teachers, junior high and high school students, and general audiences. Foreword 5 Preface 7 Contents 9 1 Nuclear Reactor for University Education 12 1.1 Kindai University Reactor 12 1.1.1 Overview 12 1.1.2 History 13 1.1.3 Characteristics 13 1.1.4 Configuration 15 1.1.5 Nuclear Instrumentation 20 1.2 Characteristics of Neutrons in Nuclear Reactors 21 1.2.1 Neutron Flux 22 1.2.2 Cross Section 22 1.2.3 Reaction Rate 25 1.2.4 Reactions of Neutrons with Nuclei 26 1.2.5 Behavior of Neutrons 30 1.2.6 Prompt and Delayed Neutrons 32 1.2.7 Effective Multiplication Factor and Reactivity 33 1.2.8 Reactor Kinetics 35 1.3 Education on Operational Safety and Physical Protection of Nuclear Material 37 1.3.1 Overview 37 1.3.2 Radiological Safety in Nuclear Reactor Facilities 38 1.3.3 Precautions in Controlled Areas 39 1.3.4 Handling of Nuclear Fuel Materials 41 1.3.5 Actions of Emergency 43 1.4 Reactor Operation 45 1.4.1 Purpose 45 1.4.2 Reactor Control Console 45 1.4.3 Pre-Startup Inspection 48 1.4.4 Reactor Start-Up 48 1.4.5 Reactor Criticality and Power Change Operation 54 1.4.6 Discussion 56 References 57 2 Reactor Physics Experiments 58 2.1 Approach to Criticality Experiment 58 2.1.1 Purpose 58 2.1.2 Principle of Measurement 59 2.1.3 Method of Measurement 64 2.1.4 Procedure of Measurement 68 2.1.5 Discussion 71 2.2 Control Rod Calibration Experiment 72 2.2.1 Purpose 72 2.2.2 Structure of Control Rod 73 2.2.3 Method of Measurement 74 2.2.4 Discussion 78 2.3 Subcriticality Measurement Experiment 79 2.3.1 Neutron Source Multiplication Method 80 2.3.2 Source Jerk Method 83 2.3.3 Inverse Kinetics Method 87 2.3.4 Reactor Noise Analysis Method 90 References 96 3 Radiation Measurement and Application 97 3.1 Activation and Half-Life Measurement 97 3.1.1 Activation 97 3.1.2 Decay and Half-Life of Radioactivity 99 3.1.3 GM Counter Tube 100 3.1.4 Method of Measurement 101 3.1.5 Discussion 104 3.2 Thermal Neutron Flux Measurement 105 3.2.1 Introduction 105 3.2.2 Theory 105 3.2.3 Target Material 107 3.2.4 Measurement of Thermal Neutron Flux 109 3.2.5 Cadmium Filter Method 111 3.2.6 Experiment 112 3.3 Measurements of Neutron and γ-Ray Dose Rates 116 3.3.1 Production of Neutron and γ-Ray 117 3.3.2 Measuring Instruments and Principle of Measurement 117 3.3.3 Measurement 118 3.3.4 Discussion 120 3.4 Neutron Radiography 125 3.4.1 Introduction 125 3.4.2 Attenuation of X-rays and Neutrons in Matter 126 3.4.3 Imaging Plate 127 3.4.4 Neutron Radiography Facility 128 3.4.5 X-ray Generator 130 3.4.6 Experiment 132 3.4.7 Discussion 132 References 133 4 Test and Research Reactors in Japan 134 4.1 Overview 134 4.2 Characteristics 135 4.3 Classification 138 4.3.1 Classification by Utilization Purpose 138 4.3.2 Classification by Design 138 4.4 Applications 139 4.4.1 Education and Training 139 4.4.2 Beam Experiments 140 4.4.3 Material Irradiation 140 4.4.4 Isotope Production 141 4.4.5 Activation Analysis 142 4.4.6 Medical Irradiation 142 4.4.7 Silicon Doping 143 4.4.8 Others 143 References 144 5 Nuclear Instrumentation 146 5.1 Introduction 146 5.2 Nuclear Instrumentation 147 5.3 Neutron Detectors for Nuclear Instrumentation 148 5.3.1 BF-3 Proportional Counters 149 5.3.2 Boron-Lined Proportional Counters 153 5.3.3 Fission Counters 154 5.3.4 Ionization Chambers 155 5.4 Compositions of Nuclear Instrumentation 155 5.4.1 Startup Channel 157 5.4.2 Intermediate Channel 158 5.4.3 Power Channel 159 5.4.4 Safety Channel 160 Bibliography 160 6 General Aspects of Laws and Regulations Relating to Nuclear Energy in Japan 162 6.1 Legal System and Position of Laws and Regulations 162 6.2 Atomic Energy Basic Act 163 6.3 Act on the Regulation of Nuclear Reactors, etc. 165 6.4 Nuclear Security and Physical Protection 168 6.5 Safeguards 169 6.6 Act on the Regulation Radioisotopes, etc. 169 6.7 Ordinance on Prevention of Ionizing Radiation Hazards 171 6.8 Nuclear Disaster Prevention 172 References 174