Texas A&M Engineering Experiment StationNuclear Science Center

Sean M. McDeavitt

Director, Nuclear Science Center

November 12, 2015

TEES Nuclear Science Center• 1 MW TRIGA Reactor

– Student, Professional, and Emergency Response Training.– Renewed pursuit of research (especially materials science)

• 4 or 5 Beam ports under redevelopment• Large irradiation venues (thermal column, dry cell, & large pool)• Two small hot cells for hot sample handling and isotope packaging.

– Neutron and high activity gamma irradiation of materials and biomaterials.

– Neutron activation analysis (rabbit tube delivery).– Isotope Production & Shipping.

Operating Since 1961

Basic Facts• 1 MW TRIGA (License R-83)

– Planning/construction began in 1957.– Operating since Dec. 18, 1961 (100 kW)

• Multiple Modifications in first 5 years (1965 to 1969 highlights)– Pool modification (dry cell) & stainless steel liner.– Cooling system installed to enable 1 MW

operation.– Core conversion (TRIGA for 1 MW and $3 pulse).– Construction of the “Laboratory Building”

• Multiple Changes over the Years.– 1973 FLIP TRIGA core transition.

• Refueled with LEU in 2006.– Reactivity insert limit dropped to $1.90– Considering/prepping for power uprate to 1.5MW.

Basic Capabilities• Flux levels for face and in-core positions, pneumatic

sample positions, dry cell and radiography beamport.

• Inactive Potential– Beam ports 1-3 & 5– Thermal column,– In-core dry tube.

Stall

Section A - A' Reactor Stall Position

PneumaticPenetrations

3.00'

17.25'

12.75'

3.00'

5.00'1.00'

3.00'

1.00'

Section B - B' Reactor Pool Position

Demineralizer Inlet

1.00'3.00'

3.00'1.00'

3.00'

A'

A

B'

B

Lower ResearchFloor

ThermalColumn

PneumaticPenetrations

DemineralizerOutlet

Irradiation CellW indow

Skimmer Lines

PneumaticPenetrations

Pool

IrradiationCell

1.00'3.00'

3.00' 2.00'5.00'

1.00'

Liner Drain

DemineralizerOutlet

Demineralizer Inlet

ReturnCooling W ater Outlet

Return

Pool DrainCell Drain

5.00'

R 4.50'

20.00'16.00'

18.00'

Beam Ports

Stall

Section A - A' Reactor Stall Position

PneumaticPenetrations

3.00'

17.25'

12.75'

3.00'

5.00'1.00'

3.00'

1.00'

Section B - B' Reactor Pool Position

Demineralizer Inlet

1.00'3.00'

3.00'1.00'

3.00'

A'

A

B'

B

Lower ResearchFloor

ThermalColumn

PneumaticPenetrations

DemineralizerOutlet

Irradiation CellW indow

Skimmer Lines

PneumaticPenetrations

Pool

IrradiationCell

1.00'3.00'

3.00' 2.00'5.00'

1.00'

Liner Drain

DemineralizerOutlet

Demineralizer Inlet

ReturnCooling W ater Outlet

Return

Pool DrainCell Drain

5.00'

R 4.50'

20.00'16.00'

18.00'

Beam Ports

A

A

B

B

C

C

Questions?