Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the
1997 International RERTR Meeting
A NEUTRONIC FEASIBILITY STUDY
FOR LEU CONVERSION OF THE
BROOKHAVEN MEDICAL RESEARCH REACTOR (BMRR)*
N. A. Hanan, R. B. Pond and J. E. Matos
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne, Illinois 60439-4841 USA
and
Jih-Perng Hu
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Upton, New York 11973-5000 USA
ABSTRACT
A neutronic feasibility study for converting the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor
from HEU to LEU fuel was performed at Argonne National Laboratory in cooperation with
Brookhaven National Laboratory. Two possible LEU cores were identified that would provide
nearly the same neutron flux and spectrum as the present HEU core at irradiation
facilities that are used for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy and for animal research. One
core has 17 and the other has 18 LEU MTR-type fuel assemblies with uranium densities of
2.5g U/cm3 or less in the fuel meat. This LEU fuel is fully-qualified for
routine use. Thermal hydraulics and safety analyses need to be performed to complete the
feasibility study.
PDF version available
DOWNLOAD full paper in PDF format.
Contact:
Dr. Nelson
Hanan
Nuclear Engineer
Argonne National Laboratory
9700 South Cass Avenue
Argonne, IL 60439 USA
Phone: (630) 252-6627
Fax: (630) 252-5161