The advanced neutron source: Designing for science

• Published in: Progress in nuclear energy (New series) 1996, Vol.30 (1), p.67-118
• Main Authors: Brown, R.A., Harrington, R.M., Hayter, J.B., McManamy, T.J., Moses, D.L., Peretz, F.J., Queen, C.C., Shapira, H.B., Thompson, P.B., West, C.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; core; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; enrichment; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; fuel; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Neutron; safety
• ISSN: 0149-1970
• DOI: 10.1016/0149-1970(95)00081-T

The Advanced Neutron Source (ANS) is a new experimental facility planned to meet the need for an intense steady-state source of neutrons. The facility will be build around a new research reactor with a fission power of about 330 MW, producing an unprecedented flux that will provide the most intense beams of steady-state neutrons in the world. This paper outlines the overall scientific mission and technical objectives of this project, defines the regulatory approach that is likely to be applied, and presents a summary of the facility layout, the major plant systems, and the reactor and experiment systems. Detailed discussions are then given related to the design of the reactor core and various options evaluated, and the approach taken on safety and severe accident analyses. A summary is also included on the topic of environmental compliance and several key aspects that must be addressed to ensure compliance in that area. A brief introduction here serves to define the fundamental aspects of the ANS facility. The project is planned around a four majore building array with the central structure a 60-m-diam cylindrical, domed reactor containment building. This building houses the reactor itself, with the first floor dedicated to beam and irradiation experiments, the second floor divided between experimental facilities and reactor operations, and a high bay top floor dedicated to reactor operations. The other structures surround this central complex and house the supporting systems as well as other experimental facilities. The reactor core is comprised of two right circular cylindrical elements that are coaxially aligned, separated on the vertical axis, and offset in radius such that unheated coolant enters each element. The core has a volume of approximately 67 L and is positioned in a replaceable core pressure boundary tube that constitutes a section of the primary coolant piping. Surrounding the core pressure boundary tube is a reflector tank holding heavy water, approximately 3-m in diameter, which serves as a neutron reflector and moderator for the reactor and experiment systems. Materials irradiation and transuranic production tartets are located inside the core pressure boundary tube near the core while beam tubes and other irradiation facilities are located in the reflector tank. For further moderation of neutrons to very low energies, the reflector tank will contain two cold sources. Each cold source is a helium-cooled cryostat containing a liquid deute