The Neutron Pulse: 4th Quarter 2024 Edition
Summary
This newsletter highlights the 4th Quarter 2024 operations and activities at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC). Key accomplishments include conducting the Deimos Benchmark experiment on Comet, performing Godiva-IV pulses for Helion detector testing and calibration, hosting hands-on criticality safety classes, and initiating upgrades to Control Room 1.
Cover Page
THE NEUTRON PULSE 4TH QUARTER 2024 EDITION LA-UR-25-21830
Operations Summary & Deimos on Comet
THE NEUTRON PULSE 4TH QUARTER 2024 EDITION LA-UR-25-21830
OPERATIONS SUMMARY NCERC conducted six weeks of critical experiment operations this quarter including the Deimos Benchmark experiment on Comet and Helion detector testing using Godiva-IV. Two criticality safety classes were hosted, one sponsored by NCSP and one for PF-4 personnel. Additionally, Control Room 1 upgrades were initiated with the complete removal of the existing consoles.
DEIMOS ON COMET Deimos was constructed from large graphite monoliths surrounded by a beryllium reflector encased in an aluminum shroud. The fuel for Deimos was HALEU TRISO fuel encapsulated using hollow graphite tubes called “cups.” Building upon the success of the Deimos heated tests completed in the previous months, five new configurations were created for the purpose of creating room temperature configurations in support of HALEU validation. The five configurations for the benchmark were created to target different aspects of reactors including void coefficients and fuel pitch. The first configuration created a baseline with the inner core fully loaded and fuel cups loaded sequentially on the outer core. The second configuration was to examine the worth of creating voids on the inner edge of the outer core. The third configuration was to examine an even larger void coefficient by creating a large empty area in the center of the experiment. The fourth configuration combined the large central void with the inner edge voids of the outer core. Lastly, the fifth configuration created a hexagonal array throughout the experiment, which effectively changed the pitch of the fuel in the experiment. These configurations are currently being evaluated for inclusion in the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments Project (ICSBEP) Handbook.
[Images Caption: ▲ Deimos with detectors for Rossi-α measurements] [Images Caption: ▲ Configuration 4 – Inner and Outer Voids]
Godiva IV Detector Testing, Criticality Safety Classes & Additional Activities
THE NEUTRON PULSE 4TH QUARTER 2024 EDITION LA-UR-25-21830
GODIVA IV DETECTOR TESTING AND CALIBRATION NCERC experimenters performed multiple Godiva-IV pulses at varying yields to support diagnostic equipment calibration and testing. This work supported Helion’s objective to develop a pulsed fusion machines by providing a large yield of neutrons. This effort was part of the Strategic Partnership Program at LANL.
CRITICALITY SAFETY CLASSES NCERC hosted two Criticality Safety Classes, one sponsored by the NCSP and one by the MR&R program at LANL. These classes provided a hands-on experience showing the effects of changing parameters important to nuclear criticality safety. Participants used the approach-to-critical methodology to guide the construction of a critical configuration and remotely operated Comet. The classes also observed a Godiva-IV burst.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES NCERC began Control Room 1 upgrades by disconnecting and relocating the previous control consoles. An elevated cable management system was installed to allow for new console cables to be routed discreetly and increase overhead space for the new monitor wall system. Select junction boxes and power distribution units were relocated and wired to the back wall. Lastly, NCERC disassembled the new CR1 consoles and equipment that had been tested at the Blue Box building in Mercury and shipped them to the DAF in preparation for installation.
[Images Caption: ▲ Detectors set up next to Godiva-IV.] [Images Caption: ▲ Student participating in the approach-to-critical hand stacking demonstration.] [Images Caption: ▲ CR1 elevated cable management system.]