Neutron flux and minor actinide transmutation potential measurements at MEGAPIE
The MEGAPIE project is studying the conversion of long lifetime radioactive elements into short lifetime elements. This long term project should contribute to develop new processes of reprocessing nuclear waste. This project consists of depositing minor actinide material inside a fission chamber end to bombard under a strong neutron flux at temperatures up to 650°C.
PHOTONIS mastering the technology of manufacturing high temperature cell has developed a specific one of 4.7mm diameter for CEA DAPNIA (Département d'Astrophysique, de Physique des Particules, de Physique Nucléaire et de l'Instrumentation Associée). The technical challenge was to operate at temperature as high as 400 to 650 °C, with thermal shocks, high neutron flux over many months and to master low leakage currents at this high temperature.
V4 channel: a direct access to very high neutron fluxes for transmutation studies
This project, named MINI INCA, is also driven by DAPNIA to study the transmutation of minor actinides.
PHOTONIS has developed double and triple cells (involving many sensitive deposits in a same gaseous container); the objective being to compare the ageing process of the different elements. The main challenge is that parts are delivered separate to CEA in order to allow them to make the deposition of the material in the qualified laboratories.
Development of new sub-miniature fission chamber CFUZ53 : modelling and experimental test
CEA and PHOTONIS have developed a miniature cell (1.5mm diameter) able to handle operating conditions in the heart of PWR and BWR reactors. The technical challenge was the miniaturisation of the product without losing the mechanical and electrical properties. Qualification test have been carried out successfully on the prototypes and industrialized products.
This cell will, in a first step, aim at serving experimental needs. In fact, for the same volume of a standard thermocouple or SPND (Self Powered Neutron Detector), it offers the possibility of making measurements in the centre of the neutron flux with a very good reproducibility and a very good lifetime |
