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Pu-238 Production Calculator and Estimation Tool in the Advanced Test Reactor

  • Demi Weaver
  • , Andrew Zillmer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A MS Excel tool was created to help track Pu-238 production, Np-237 feedstock use, estimate production scenarios, and coordinate planning for shipments at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). As-run estimates were used as a basis for beginning and end of life isotopic concentrations. Multiple target types were created to demonstrate a proof of concept while actual results were not yet available. The initial goals of this production tool were: • Track targets through the irradiation process at the ATR • Estimate production yields from irradiated targets in various positions for each cycle • Provide past, current, and future year quantities of Np-237 and Pu-238 at ATR, amounts shipped to ATR and amounts shipped from ATR • Estimate production from current and future target designs based on data from numerical modeling (values will be provided by INL) • After proof of principle, additional work is planned that will further enhance the tool with: o Incorporate the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for irradiation o Incorporate irradiations and target shipments from ORNL to INL and back to track Np-237 transfers across the Department of Energy (DOE) Complex.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2022
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages388-391
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9780894487828
ISBN (Print)9780894487828
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2022
Event2022 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2022 - Cleveland, United States
Duration: May 8 2022May 12 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2022

Conference

Conference2022 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCleveland
Period05/8/2205/12/22

INL Publication Number

  • INL/CON-22-65860
  • 114636

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