Thermal Power Calibrations of ITU TRIGA Mark II Reactor


Mercimek M., Camtakan Z.

International Ege Energy Symposium and Exhibition, İzmir, Türkiye, 28 - 30 Haziran 2012, ss.751-759

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: İzmir
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.751-759
  • İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Power monitoring of nuclear research reactors is done by using detectors located around the reactor core and neutronic instruments. Calibration of this system is necessary for integral power measurements. Thermal methods are generally used to calibrate the nuclear research reactor power accurately. In this study, thermal calibration methods are considered for power calibration of TRIGA Mark-II Research Reactor at Istanbul Technical University. In the first step, electrical heaters are used to raise water temperature in the reactor tank when reactor is in shutdown position, while thermocouples are used to measure temperature from different locations in the tank. In the second step, reactor is operated and thermocouples are used to measure temperature rise with time as in the first step. Then reactor power is calculated by comparing first and second measurements. Primary coolant loop is closed during these experiments. In order to check first result, power is also determined from temperature rise during reactor operation and known heat capacity of the reactor. In the third step, primary coolant loop runs and calculation of the reactor power is made by using energy balance of the primary cooling loop.