Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY) Cold Critical Measurements

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Abstract

For the Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY) cold critical experiments, the KRUSTY component critical configuration was modified by the addition of parts that would be required for cold, warm, and hot critical experiments (including the vacuum chamber as well as the heat pipes and associated parts). Reactivity measurements were performed on the KRUSTY cold critical experimental configurations with the goal of obtaining reactivity-worth measurements on the beryllium oxide (BeO) reflector and the boron carbide (B₄C) control rod parts. The resulting data are consistent and allow for accurate identification of the BeO and B₄C part thicknesses required to achieve the excess reactivity needed for the KRUSTY warm and hot experimental configurations.

Keywords:

• Reactivity
• k_eff
• cents
• β_eff
• neutron cross section

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Criticality Safety Program funded and managed by the National Nuclear Security Administration for the DOE.