In this paper, we use the Isotope Ratio Method (IRM) to estimate the total energy production of the Uzbekistan Institute of Nuclear Physics WWR-SM research reactor. The isotope ratio method is a technique for verifying the operational history of a nuclear reactor by measuring trace element isotope ratios in non-fuel reactor components. The isotope ratios in these components can then be directly related to cumulative energy production with standard reactor modeling methods. This method has been successfully demonstrated on several shutdown reactors in the past. The WWR-SM is a 10MW pool reactor that has been operating since 1959. In 2013, a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) team successfully removed a surface sample from the aluminum core shroud during a refueling outage. The sample was subjected to Secondary Ionization Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) analysis at PNNL in 2014. Our results show good agreement with the actual operating history of the reactor.
Revised: September 18, 2019 |
Published: September 1, 2015
Citation
Naes B.E., C.J. Gesh, B.D. Reid, S. Baytelesov, D.W. Wootan, U. Salikhbayev, and F.R. Kungurov, et al. 2015."Isotope Ratio Method Analysis of the WWR-SM Reactor." In Proceedings of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM 2015), July 12-16, 2015, Indian Wells, CA, 2, 1392-1401. Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois:Institute of Nuclear Materials Management.PNNL-SA-110850.