ISHTAR thermostatic irradiation device for advanced nuclear technologies research in the MARIA reactor
Sonda do napromieniań ISHTAR - badania zaawansowanych technologii jądrowych w reaktorze maria
Marek Migdal, Maciej Lipka, Anna Talarowska, Grzegorz Wojtania
Streszczenie
Studies of high-temperature materials behaviour irradiated by neutrons are required to develop advanced fission
and fusion power technologies. A novel irradiation device, ISHTAR, has been developed in the MARIA Research Reactor’s
Nuclear Facilities Operations Department in response to scientific interest. The irradiation conditions in the device reflect
those occurring in the core of the advanced helium-cooled nuclear reactor at very high temperatures reaching 1000°C. Additionally,
the highly flexible core of MARIA reactor enables studies in various neutron conditions, including fusion-related
neutron spectrum. This work shows the design of the ISHTAR capsule, together with computational studies in thermalhydraulics
and neutronics. Comparing computational data with the experimental data gathered during ex-core and in-core
test campaigns proves that the device is reliable, inherently safe, and provides required irradiation conditions.
and fusion power technologies. A novel irradiation device, ISHTAR, has been developed in the MARIA Research Reactor’s
Nuclear Facilities Operations Department in response to scientific interest. The irradiation conditions in the device reflect
those occurring in the core of the advanced helium-cooled nuclear reactor at very high temperatures reaching 1000°C. Additionally,
the highly flexible core of MARIA reactor enables studies in various neutron conditions, including fusion-related
neutron spectrum. This work shows the design of the ISHTAR capsule, together with computational studies in thermalhydraulics
and neutronics. Comparing computational data with the experimental data gathered during ex-core and in-core
test campaigns proves that the device is reliable, inherently safe, and provides required irradiation conditions.