Irradiation test using foreign reactor, 2; Study of irradiation test with capsule temperature control system (Joint research)

Omori, Takazumi ; Fuyushima, Takumi ; Sayato, Natsuki ; Saito, Nagatsuki; Takabe, Yugo; Endo, Yasuichi; Inoue, Shuichi ; Wojtania, G.*; Migdal, M.*; Takeuchi, Tomoaki   ; Takemoto, Noriyuki 

Japan Materials Testing Reactor (JMTR), which served as the core facility for neutron irradiation research including materials research and radioisotope production, has been decommissioned. As a result, it has become difficult to continue conducting irradiation tests domestically, as well as to transfer the operational expertise and irradiation technologies associated with test reactors, to address these challenges, it was decided to initiate JMTR alternative irradiation, in which foreign irradiation reactors are utilized to partially substitute for JMTR's irradiation capabilities. As a first step, based on the "Arrangement between the National Centre for Nuclear Research and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development on Testing Reactor". The MARIA reactor (30 MW) owned by the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) was selected as the neutron irradiation facility, a temperature control system, which is one of JMTR's irradiation technologies, was introduced into the MARIA reactor, and irradiation tests were conducted. The results of this irradiation test confirmed that the combination of the newly introduced temperature control device and the JMTR irradiation test system operates without issues even after an irradiation period exceeding 150 days, it was also demonstrated that the tests could be conducted while continuously measuring the thermocouple temperature inside the capsule during irradiation, as well as the output of the LVDT and SPGD. Furthermore, regarding the constant temperature control of the irradiation capsule at 300C constant temperature control test, which is highly demanded in materials irradiation testing, was conducted, during reactor power increases, when temperature fluctuations become significant, temperature control was maintained within 6.3C, while during power decreases, it was controlled within 26.0C. These results indicate that irradiation testing with irradiation temperature control system developed by JMTR, can also be performed in the MARIA reactor, it was confirmed that it can be offered as an alternative irradiation field.