Special Experimental Environment for Gen. IV Reactors with Graphite Reflector

Abstract

Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for new SMR reactors with a wide range of applications, often classified as a new generation IV. reactors. Unfortunately, there is no operating nuclear reactor meeting the characteristics of Gen. IV reactors by its technical design and features. Generation IV nuclear reactors are intensively developed worldwide, including in the Czech Republic. At least two general Gen. IV thermal neutron reactor concepts use graphite as a moderator or reflector, as do many concepts from the very popular small modular reactors. To support research activities linked with the development of these reactors, an appropriate experimental environment and resources simulating conditions expected in Gen. IV reactors with graphite are needed. The calculated data confirm the results obtained during previous research. The experiment at LR-0 with a graphite reflector gives better results of neutron flux distribution in the reflector due to the extra graphite reflector layer and central graphite plugs. Besides, the core arrangement is included in a set of experiments supporting the research of reactor cores with graphite reflectors. The main reason for this article is to support the development of a new functional sample of neutron instrumentation for Gen. IV reactors.