| Breazeale TRIGA Reactor |
The TRIGA reactor system at the RSEC is a most versatile and useful university research reactor. It can: |
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operate in the steady-state mode at a power level of 1 megawatt with a maximum thermal neutron flux of 2.7 x 1013 neutrons/cm2-sec and |
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be pulsed to a peak power of 2000 megawatts with a maximum integrated output of 6 x 1016 neutrons/cm2. |
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| Neutron Beam Laboratory |
| Otherwise known as the RSEC Beam Laboratory, this facility passes a well-collimated beam of neutrons from the reactor, thermalized by a D2O thermal column, into the Center for use in nondestructive testing and evaluation. The major work now being done is utilizing a neutron image intensifier for real time imaging. A wide variety of neutron radiography experiments are conducted, including observing neutron absorber mixing in turbulent flows, lubrication distribution, moisture distribution in fuel cells, and studies of ammonia flow in loop heat pipes. The beam is also being used for neutron radiography and neutron attenuation studies. Equipment is available to digitize the real time radiography images for image processing. |
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| Gamma Irradiation Facilities |
| In 1966, the University placed into operation a 3,200 square foot laboratory extension to its reactor facility. |
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| The extension to the reactor, which is used by both students and faculty projects: |
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is a two-level, gamma ray laboratory |
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houses cobalt-60 irradiation facilities |
| Possibilities include: |
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exposure rates up to 5 x 105 roentgens/hr |
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irradiation conditions such as controlled temperature |
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instrumentation for experiments |
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| Perturbed Angular Correlation Laboratory |
Perturbed angular correlations spectroscopy is a type of a hyperfine measurement used to determine a change of state in a variety of materials, such as superconductors, ceramics and metals, as a function of experimental parameters. The apparatus in this laboratory is instrumented to detect hyperfine interactions that occur in the electric field in the region of the nucleus.
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| Subcritical Graphite Experiment Facility |
| The extension to the reactor, which is used by both students and faculty projects: |
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Five different lattice spacings that can be set up, allowing studies of heterogeneous arrays. |
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Graphite stringers can replace the fuel which provides a 6 x 6 x 9 foot graphite region for neutron slowing down and diffusion studies. |
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| Nuclear Materials Laboratory |
| Located at the RSEC, this laboratory includes: |
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A positron annihilation lifetime spectrometer which is being used to monitor damage to pressure vessel attacks. |
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Sample preparation for electron microscopy, including electropolishing and arc melting. |
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A Charpy impact tester. |
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Full hot cell facilities. |
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| Hot Cell Facilites |
| The two well-equiped hot cells at the RSEC: |
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aid materials research and provide safe handling of many highly radioactive sources. |
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are capable of handling the equivalent of 100 curies of cobalt-60. |
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have special shielding arrangements, making possible experiments at an even higher level. |
| Other capabilities include: |
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remote manipulators |
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Direct viewing of experiments through lead glass windows |
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air cleaning equipment and utilities, and |
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special control of waste materials. |
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| Radionuclear Applications Lab |
| Located at the RSEC, this laboratory is equiped with: |
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the latest in radiation detection equipment, including: |
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pulse height analyzers and |
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GPGe and Nal(Ti) radiation detectors. |
| Resources needed to do research in: |
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neutron activation analysis, |
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gamma-ray spectroscopy, |
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tracer techniques |
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radiography, |
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isotope gauging, and |
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other applications of radiation and radioisotope technology. |
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| Intelligent Distributed Control Research Laboratory (IDCRL) |
Established in 1989, the PSU IDCRL's original funding supplied the initial Bailey Control System.
Equipment added since then includes: |
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seven UNIX workstations |
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simulation and controls software |
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additional Bailey controller equipment and |
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a modern state-of-the-art UNIX network compatible microprocessor-based control system. |
| The equipment is used for advanced intelligent control research for fossil and nuclear power plants. This research includes validation using distributed real-time simulation of plant-wide power plant systems including boiler, feedwater turbine and generator subsystems and validation using the Penn State TRIGA research reactor. |
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| Lion Loop |
| The Penn State Nuclear Engineering Low Pressure Integral Test Facility (LPITF), also known as the Lion Loop, is a unique, multipurpose, thermal hydraulic test loop. The LPITF is continually being rebuilt by students and staff members and is located within the Radiation Science and Engineering Center Cobalt Bay. |
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| Conducted using this facility are studies involving: |
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Natural circulation in a reactor system. |
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includes behavior during startup, normal operation, and accident scenarios |
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scaled version of General Electric Simplified Boiling Water Reactor |
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also includes ECCS |
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Boiling regimes in a vertical channel. |
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careful monitoring |
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existing and new correlations |
| Computer experience is also attained in these areas: |
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Thermal hydraulic codes such as TRAC, COBRA-TF, RELAP, and RETRAN. |
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Model development and testing. |
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Digital signal gathering and control. |
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