Installation of permanent cadmium-lined channel as a means for increasing epithermal NAA capabilities of miniature neutron source reactors

High demand for epithermal neutrons by the clients of the Nigerian Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1), a Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) has necessitated the need to explore avenues for increasing epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) capabilities of the reactor. Safety and flux stability simulations were done by our group using Monte Carlo Transport Code MCNP5 for permanent cadmium line inside the irradiation channel of NIRR-1 and compared with the ones reported by other MNSR groups. The results of all these simulations revealed that the effect of cadmium-line on safety and flux stability is very minimal in the outer channel than in the inner channel. We have reported here the design specifications, preliminary studies done, steps followed in installation and measurements done in the pre and post installation of the permanent cadmium-line in outer channel of the reactor. We measured the reactivity worth of the old and new channel and readjusted the reactorʹs core excess reactivity after the installation. Results obtained are: reactivity worth of the old channel (0.12 mk), reactivity worth of the new channel = 0.336 mk, temperature coefficient = −0.1 mk/°C, control rod worth coefficient = 0.023 mk/mm and the core excess reactivity = 3.85 mk. We have also measured the radial and axial flux distribution in the channels of the reactor after the installation. The installation of the permanent cadmium-lined channel reported here will not only boost the sample handling capabilities of NIRR-1 but will also provide useful data to the MNSR community for upgrading their reactors.