Gamma noise to non-invasively monitor nuclear research reactors
Abstract Autonomous nuclear reactor monitoring is a key aspect of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s strategy to ensure nonproliferation treaty compliance. From the rise of small modular reactor technology, decentralized nuclear reactor fleets may strain the capacities of such monitoring and r...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59127-y |
| _version_ | 1797209368436932608 |
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| author | Oskari Pakari Tom Mager Pavel Frajtag Andreas Pautz Vincent Lamirand |
| author_facet | Oskari Pakari Tom Mager Pavel Frajtag Andreas Pautz Vincent Lamirand |
| author_sort | Oskari Pakari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Autonomous nuclear reactor monitoring is a key aspect of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s strategy to ensure nonproliferation treaty compliance. From the rise of small modular reactor technology, decentralized nuclear reactor fleets may strain the capacities of such monitoring and requires new approaches. We demonstrate the superior capabilities of a gamma detection system to monitor the criticality of a zero power nuclear reactor from beyond typical vessel boundaries, offering a powerful alternative to neutron-based systems by providing direct information on fission chain propagation. Using the case example of the research reactor CROCUS, we demonstrate how two bismuth germanate scintillators placed outside the reactor vessel can precisely observe reactor criticality using so called noise methods and provide core status information in seconds. Our results indicate a wide range of applications due to the newly gained geometric flexibility that could find use in fields beyond nuclear safety. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T09:53:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c14722ebf4db4d0c82cfc36284947aa8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T09:53:35Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-c14722ebf4db4d0c82cfc36284947aa82024-04-14T11:15:03ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-04-0114111010.1038/s41598-024-59127-yGamma noise to non-invasively monitor nuclear research reactorsOskari Pakari0Tom Mager1Pavel Frajtag2Andreas Pautz3Vincent Lamirand4Laboratory for Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de LausanneLaboratory for Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de LausanneLaboratory for Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de LausanneLaboratory for Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de LausanneLaboratory for Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de LausanneAbstract Autonomous nuclear reactor monitoring is a key aspect of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s strategy to ensure nonproliferation treaty compliance. From the rise of small modular reactor technology, decentralized nuclear reactor fleets may strain the capacities of such monitoring and requires new approaches. We demonstrate the superior capabilities of a gamma detection system to monitor the criticality of a zero power nuclear reactor from beyond typical vessel boundaries, offering a powerful alternative to neutron-based systems by providing direct information on fission chain propagation. Using the case example of the research reactor CROCUS, we demonstrate how two bismuth germanate scintillators placed outside the reactor vessel can precisely observe reactor criticality using so called noise methods and provide core status information in seconds. Our results indicate a wide range of applications due to the newly gained geometric flexibility that could find use in fields beyond nuclear safety.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59127-y |
| spellingShingle | Oskari Pakari Tom Mager Pavel Frajtag Andreas Pautz Vincent Lamirand Gamma noise to non-invasively monitor nuclear research reactors Scientific Reports |
| title | Gamma noise to non-invasively monitor nuclear research reactors |
| title_full | Gamma noise to non-invasively monitor nuclear research reactors |
| title_fullStr | Gamma noise to non-invasively monitor nuclear research reactors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gamma noise to non-invasively monitor nuclear research reactors |
| title_short | Gamma noise to non-invasively monitor nuclear research reactors |
| title_sort | gamma noise to non invasively monitor nuclear research reactors |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59127-y |
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