Analysis of power calibration test facility experimental

reactor SAMOP (subcritical device for radioisotope

production Molybdenum 99)

Zaenal Abidin, Elva Dwiyani, Syarip

STTN-Batan, Jl. Babarsari Yogyakarta

zaesttnbatan@gmail.com, elvadwiyani@gmail.com, syarip@batan.go.id.

Abstract. Calibration is the process of adjusting the reactor power the reactor power
measuring devices against standard values are known. Calibration of power reactor which
includes all activities power variable parameter measurement, calculation of reactor power, and
resetting the power measuring devices. Calibration is done with the power reactor in nuclear
methods which measure the neutron flux at the experimental facility SAMOP through neutron
source of Kartini reactor operated with a power of 100 KW. Power measurement results in the
patio SAMOP at 978 watts when the neutron flux on the order of 10 10 n /cm2 s. testing the
performance of the detector Fission Chamber (FC) as a power monitoring system SAMOP has
been undertaken. Fission Chamber detector sensitivity value was 0.02 cps /nv obtained from
measurements of the neutron flux around the reactor core SAMOP, This proves that the value
of the FC detector performance is quite good.

Keywords: SAMOP, neutron flux, power calibration, Kartini reactor

1. Introduction
Subcritical Assembly for 99 Mo Production (SAMOP) is a subcritical reactor system with a solution
of uranyl nitrate fuel. SAMOP system concept PSTA BATAN being developed in Yogyakarta based
on the reaction of nuclear division 235 U lasts as long as there source of neutrons coming from
outside the device or system. External neutron source can be derived from isotopic neutron source or
from a neutron generator. If the external neutron source is turned off or taken then automatically
process the core cleavage reaction (fission) will stop and it is known as subcritical devices. External
neutron source to trigger operation of the reactor system SAMOP derived from the neutron beam that
comes out of beam port Kartini reactor, which is based on the results of the research have been
sufficient the necessary requirements that have a neutron flux value of the order of 10 6 - 10 7 n cm-2 s-1
within 100 hours continuously carried out gradually ranging from 20 hours, 50 hours to finish the
operation of 100 hours [1].
Reactor had been widely used for nuclear analytical techniques, education and training as well
as means Nuclear Training Center. Means for operation reactor is system instrumentation and
control. System instrumentation and control of the reactor is based on the principle that the
Main Control Room (MCR) can control and keep the reactor when operated safely in normal
conditions and circumstances of accidents and emergency control room (ECR) will take action
 and keep the reactor in a safe condition, if MCR not able to do the entire early action on the
safety of automatically. In order to meet these principles and ensure the truth of the appointment
of channel measurement system including channel power measurement of the reactor, it should
always be done calibration of the reactor power on a periodic basis, i.e. adjusting the measuring
tool to the standard value is known, especially after changes to the configuration of the reactor
core.
Based on the above, it will be power calibration test reactor which covers all activities of the
power variable parameter measurement, power calculation and rearrangement reactor power
measuring devices. Calibration of the reactor power can be done in two ways, namely
calibration nuclear by measuring the neutron flux directly on each of the fuel elements at low
power operation and calibration calorimetric (thermo) which has two kinds of ways:
1) Calorimetric non-stationary do by measuring the rate of temperature rise and pay attention to
the water tank without operate cooling system reactor / low power operation;
2) Stationary calorimetric performed by operating the reactor coolant system when the heat is
not accumulated in the heat transport system (heat from the reactor core to rely on debit / rate of
water and the temperature of the inlet / outlet primary cooling system). By regulating the
discharge cooling, the heat accumulated in the reactor tank was taken by the primary coolant
then transferred to a secondary coolant.
Calibration of the reactor power is intended to determine the actual reactor power also to adjust
the meter-meter power in accordance with the calibration results.

2. Kartini reactor
Kartini reactor is a TRIGA Mark II reactor type open pool type which is cooled by natural circulation.
Reactor is operated for the purpose of irradiation, NAA analysis, research, and practice personnel.
Based on permit issued by BAPETEN, Kartini reactor is operated with a nominal power of 100 kW.
Kartini reactor design is based on the reactor pool, the reactor where fuel and core elements
that are in the bottom of the tank containing water such as Figure 1.

Figure 1. Upright piece Radiation Shielding Reactor with of Barite Concrete [2]

3. Neutron flux
The neutron flux is the number of neutrons that moves per unit area per second. Based on the energy
and speed, neutron flux can be divided into three categories: fast neutron flux, and the epithermal
neutron flux thermal neutron flux. Mathematically the neutron flux can be written:

Φ = nv ( 1)

By stating the neutron flux φ (n / cm 2 s), n is the number of neutron (N/cm 3), v is neutron velocity
(cm/s) [3].
Neutron flux measurement is done by irradiation of foil 197 Au as a detector for 24 hours
in bulk SAMOP reactor shielding. The parameters required in the calculation of the mass of the
neutron flux include foil 197 Au, volume foil 197 Au, Σ act 197 Au, irradiation time 197 Au, the
waiting time 197 Au, the time of enumeration 197 Au, the decay constant 197 Au, and GM
detector efficiency. Neutron flux measurement method Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) is
obtained from Equation (2):

(2)

Measurement of the thermal neutron flux generated AAN method can be determined by equation
(3):

Φ th = Φ tot - Φ fast (3)

If a neutron moves approaching an atomic nucleus and enters the area of influence field then there
are some possibilities that can happen. The first possibility, the neutrons will pound after the
collision of neutron core and diverted from its original direction at an angle θ and the core will
bounce, such an event is called a scattering reaction. The second possibility, neutrons into the nuclei
and no longer is a stand-alone entity. This event is called a reaction catch.
It is known that the nuclear division generates 32 Pico joules or 32.10 - 12 watt-seconds, which
means it needs as much as 3,125.E10 fission per second to produce one watt of thermal
power. As an approach, for a thermal reactor with a volume V f cm 3 there will be mean as
much as (Vr Σf Φ) division, therefore the reactor's thermal power (P) in units of watts
generated from the reaction of nuclear division that occurs in a nuclear reactor in operation is
given by equation (4):

watt
(4)

4. Reactor Power Calibration

Calibration of power reactor which includes all activities power variable measurements,
calculations and rearrangement reactor power measuring channel power. Calibration of power
reactor aims to determine the actual reactor power as well as to adjust the power meter accordance
with the results of the calibration. The reactor power calibration can be done in two ways, namely
nuclear calibration by measuring the neutron flux directly and calorimetric (thermo) which consists
of two kinds of ways no stationary and stationary.

5. Subcritical Assembly for 99 Mo Production (SAMOP)

The concept of the system Subcritical Assembly for 99 Mo Production or SAMOP based on the
core fission reaction process 235 U which lasts as long as there source of neutrons coming from
outside the device or system. External neutron source can be derived from isotopic neutron source
or from a neutron generator.
If the external neutron source mentioned shut down or taken then automatically process the core
cleavage reaction (fission) will be discontinued, and known as device subcritical. External
neutron source to trigger operation of the reactor system SAMOP derived from the neutron
beam that comes out of beam port Kartini reactor, which is based on the results studies have
sufficient necessary requirements that have a neutron flux value of the order of 10 7 n cm- 2 s-1.
Based on the concept of the safety system requirements SAMOP not as tight as that required in
a nuclear reactor or critical assembly. The fuel used in SAMOP who also serves as the base
material production 99 Mo is a solution of uranyl nitrate [UO2(NO 3)2].
A schematic diagram of the overall concept SAMOP system described in Figure 2.
SAMOP core consists of tube annular cylinder containing uranyl nitrate [UO 2(NO3)2] as fuel and
targets, surrounded by a ring of UO 2 (NO3)2 tube or TRIGA fuel elements. TRIGA fuel elements can
be loaded in the ring together with UO2(NO3)2 tube to increase the neutron multiplication factor.

Figure 2. SAMOP System Diagram [4].

System location schematic Amenities experimental SAMOP described in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Experimental Facility Layout SAMOP [4]

6. Fission Chamber/FC
Is used to detect when the induced fission neutron detector on the wall that had been coated U235
high enrichment. The room in the detector is usually made with stainless steel and electrodes.
Detector operating voltage varies from 50 V to 500 V. The noble gases have to stuffing detector
and is used at a pressure of several atmospheres. The noble gases are often used for stuffing
detector is Argon [5]. FC detector is illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Fission Chamber Detector [ 5].

 The workings of neutron detectors FC shooting begins with the nuclei of the detector FC
fissile material and cause the fission reaction. Core atoms of the material fissile split and produces
two fission fragments core division results. Fission fragments that move into the area of gas
detectors will ionize the gas field to produce free electrons. Free electrons will be collected at the
anode wire, so that the electric current will appear and display the detector output signal. The FC
detector function test is illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 5. Block Diagram Installation FC detector test function [6].

The sensitivity of the FC detector can be calculated by equation (5):

Sensitivity = cps/flux neutron (5)

7. Foil detector 197Au

Activation puck detectors used to measure neutron flux done indirectly. The principle of neutron
activation analysis is the emergence of radioactivity impact of a trailer after being irradiated by
neutrons. Measurement of neutron flux at beam port not use activation trailer radial translucent gold
foil plate ( 197Au) with Geiger Muller counter (GM). Samples should be analyzed, irradiated using a
neutron source then occurs arrest reaction neutrons by atomic nuclei of these elements and turned into
radioactive. This reaction is called neutron activation reaction, which is usually written as a reaction to
neutron-gamma (n, γ). In general, the reaction can be written as follows:
197
Au + o n 1  198 Au + γ

The results of the above reaction is a radioactive isotope that emits gamma rays emitted by
various elements in the trailer. The specific gamma ray intensity is proportional to the number of
isotopes in the sample. The analytical method activation of neutrons is based on the reaction (n, γ) in
which the nucleus of atoms of each element of footage will absorb neutrons and turns into a
radioisotope that can emit light radiation alpha (α), beta (β) or gamma (γ), or it can also occur
simultaneously. Gamma ray energy spectrum analysis aims to determine the type of radioisotope in
the sample. Average results of enumeration (counting) for calculation of neutron flux along a curve
fit analysis (curve fitting) to determine the distribution function of the neutron flux in the radial
translucent channel [7].
GM detector efficiency calculation by R/A.P

8. Research Methods

8.1. Equipment and material

The tools used in the implementation of this study are as follows:
1. Neutron detectors are used, include:
a. Fission Chamber / FC
b. Foil detector 197Au
2. Reactor subcritical
8.2. Research management
Studies literature
Studies literature also aims to Experiment Facility SAMOP know the configuration used in the
PSTA - BATAN Yogyakarta. Experiment Facility SAMOP configuration can be seen in Figure
6.

Figure 6. Experimental Facility SAMOP (side and top view) [8]

Operation Tool
At this stage the tools that have been prepared are then operated to carry out the research
process through the following steps:
a. 100 power reactors operated until kWatt
b. The primary cooling system is switched off
c. After constant power begins to observe the reactor tank water temperature every interval of 5
minutes.
d. Was observed up to 10 times.
e. Compared to the results of calculations with the power meter pointer on the control system is
then calculated deviation.
Data retrieval
Retrieval of data obtained from the measurement results using neutron flux neutron detector
types FC as well as the chip detector activation with GM detector.
Data analysis
The data analysis was conducted on data that has been taken, is used to determine the
amount of the average neutron flux of neutron activation analysis method.

9. Results and Discussion

Neutron flux measure by Neutron Activation Analysis Method.
The results are shown in Table 1. a neutron flux measurements obtained by 3 positions. The
first position in front the hole of beam port with two samples of gold foil coated with Cd and gold
foil coated Cd, respectively 2 samples of gold foil is not coated with Cd next placed at the second
position which is located outside the reactor core and the third position in the reactor core. This is
done to determine the neutron flux comparison between samples of gold foil by the third variant of
the measurement position.
Results obtained from measurements with the NAA method shows that the greater the
distance from the neutron source reactor Kartini 197 Au, the smaller the value of the neutron flux
obtained. This is evidenced by the total value of the neutron flux on the order of 10 6 not showed
very significant differences in each foil 197 Au but it is seen that the larger the total neutron flux
present in front of the hole beam port on the foil that is not wrapped in Cd.

Table 1 Neutron Flux Total.

position foil 197 Au on Neutron Flux Total

Reactor SAMOP (n/cm2. s)
In front of the hole beam port 9.80 x E6 (Without Cd)
2,14 x E6
Outside the reactor core 1.35 x E6
1.20 x E6
In the reactor core 2.23 x E6
2.28 x E6

Subsequent research is to measure the value of fast neutron flux produced by the method of
enumeration results AAN 197 Au coated with Cd. foil 197 Au is placed right in front of the hole this
beam port get fast neutron flux value of 2.14 E6. These results do not differ neutron flux value so far
with foil 197 Au was coated with Cd which is located at position 3 (in the reactor core).
Research carried out next is to measure the thermal neutron flux value is the result of a
reduction of the neutron flux total with fast neutron flux which is located in front the hole of beam
port. The results of the thermal neutron flux calculation is 7.66 x 10 6 which shows that the thermal
neutron flux decline somewhat more when compared to the fast neutron flux at the same distance.
Thermal neutron flux is used as the initial value of external neutron source for reactor operation
SAMOP.
Power calculations inside Reactor
SAMOP reactor is subcritical reactor, the reactor requiring external neutron source for its
operation (external neutron source). Subcritical reactor is the neutron multiplication facilities.
At the time of measurement SAMOP reactor fuel is not yet available, so it is measured
neutron flux from an external neutron source (External neutron source).
Based on data from the flux neutrons measured as shown in Table 1, shows that the total average
of the measured neutron flux in the region / the reactor core SAMOP is 2,255 x 10 6 n / cm 2 s.
Having in mind the average of the total neutron flux multiplied by a factor of multiplicity
(kef) neutrons from reactor SAMOP, for get a total average neutron flux in the presence of uranyl
nitrate. If (kef) neutrons from the reactor SAMOP namely k ef = 0.98 to 0.99 or kef the average
neutron = 0.985 then the multiplication factor of neutrons in the reactor SAMOP is M = 0.985 /
(1-0,985) = 65.67.
The average neutron flux in the core measurable multiplied by a factor M which is 65.67 x
(2.255 x 10 6 n / cm 2 s) = 1.48 x 10 8 n / cm 2 s. Based on the value of the average neutron flux
is then carried out the determination of power in the reactor core as follows.

(6.02×〖10〗^23×1380×584×[(10〗^(-24 )×1.48×[10〗^(8)/(235×3.125×〖10〗^10)

Based on the analysis of the determination of the reactor power SAMOP obtained reactor
power above 9.78 watts of total average neutron flux in the patio of 1.48 x 10 8 n /cm2 s. Appropriate
technical specifications total average neutron flux in SAMOP terrace is of the order of 10 10 n /cm2 s,
(see Table 2) so that if the neutron flux neutron source outside of the order of 10 10 n /cm2 s, it will
produce measurable reactor power of 978 watts or about 1 kW per the specifications listed in Table
2.

Table 2 Technical Specifications Reactor SAMOP.

Parameter Size

Fuel element uranic nitrate [UO2(NO3)2 Enrichment < 20%

Density of uranic nitrate [UO2(NO3)2 300 gram U/L
Volume uranic nitrate 23 L
Total number of uranic 6.6 kg
High of subcritical tank/core 35 cm
Diameter of subcritical core 30 cm
Thick reflector(graphite) 20 cm
Thick of radiation shielding 60 cm
Effective folding factor 0.98 -0.99
average neutron flux 10E10 n/cm2s
Mo production 3000 mCi

FC Detector Performance Test Results

FC detector placed at positions outside terrace SAMOP, based on data from the neutron flux
measured as presented in Table 1 at the position of the gold foil outside the reactor core was
1.35E6 and 1.20 x 106 n / cm 2 s or the average neutron flux of 1.27 x 106 n / cm2 s. Based on the
results of measurements of the signal / pulse output of the detector FC obtained count per
second (cps) of the detector FC on the position and conditions were as shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Observations Pulse Output detectors FC

No. CPS CPS mean Sensitivity

1. 212.85 217.04/1.27E6=
2. 224.55 217.04 0.02 cps/n. Cm-2.
3. 214.55 S-1
4. 216.22

The calculations show that the value of the sensitivity of the detector FC is 0.02 cps / n.cm - 2.
s- 1. This value is taken on the position of the detector outside terrace SAMOP, it is known that the
FC detector still has a good sensitivity. Range sensitivity values are acceptable for the measurement
of neutron detector using pulse mode FC is 0.01 cps / n.cm - 2. s- 1 - 4 cps / n.cm- 2. s- 1 [ 5].

CONCLUSION
Based on the results of this study concluded that the author has managed to perform the
calibration analysis reactor power is by using the neutron activation method. In the method used
two gold foil is a gold foil coated with Cadmium (Cd) and the other without Cd to obtain the
value of the thermal neutron flux. The results of the thermal neutron flux measurement as an
external neutron source for operation SAMOP is 7.66 x 10 6 n/cm2 s. The results of the calculation
of reactor power calibration test showed that the power in SAMOP terrace of 978 watts when the
 neutron flux on the order of 1010 n / cm2 s. Based on these results it can be concluded that the
reactor power calibration SAMOP approaching 1 kW when Kartini reactor operated at a power of
100 kW.

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