Experimental Reactor Physics (GA-2)

Demonstration Course GA-2, (JSI)

Date:

14. 02. 2022 – 18. 02. 2022

Venue:

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Organisers:

Jožef Stefan Institute, as member of the European Nuclear Experimental Educational Platform (ENEEP) consortium.

Languages:

English

Purpose:

Reactor Physics is the field of Physics which studies applications of the nuclear chain reaction in order to achieve a controlled rate of nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor, for the production of energy. This is made possible by nuclear reactor design, based on important physical phenomena enabling achievement and control over the nuclear chain reaction and feedback mechanisms.

The objective of the course is to perform a series of experiments at the JSI TRIGA research reactor, each one highlighting a particular aspect or physical phenomenon in Reactor Physics. We will start by performing a fundamental experiment in Reactor Physics – the critical experiment, by which we will demonstrate how to bring the reactor to criticality in a controlled way. We will continue by studying the reactor behaviour when subjected to step reactivity changes, and note the regimes of operation. We will then perform a control rod worth calibration to determine control rod worth tables, by which we will have fully familiarized ourselves with the reactor. We will proceed by the measurement of the fuel temperature coefficient of reactivity, relevant for operation at nominal power, and the void coefficient of reactivity, particularly relevant for power range operation of water-cooled reactors in nuclear power plants. Finally, we will perform the pulse experiment, demonstrating the inherent safety of the TRIGA reactor design. Following the experiments, participants will have the opportunity to operate the JSI TRIGA reactor themselves.

Eligible countries:

27 European Union countries, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia

Participants’ qualifications:

The course is aimed at trainees in the nuclear field.

Course programme:

Monday, 14 February 2021

  • 09:00 – 09:30: Welcome, course opening
  • 09:30 – 10:30: Presentation: Research at JSI TRIGA reactor
  • 10:30 – 12:00: Visit to JSI TRIGA reactor and laboratories
  • 13:00 – 16:00: Critical experiment

Tuesday, 15 February 2021

Wednesday, 16 February 2021

Thursday, 17 February 2021

Friday, 18 February 2021

  • 09:00 – 12:00: Reactor operation – part 2
  • 13:00 – 15:00: Course evaluation and closing

Course director:

Vladimir Radulović

Application deadline:

15th November 2021 23.59 CET

Application Procedure:

To apply to the course, the applicant should submit the following documents:

  • filled-in application form,
  • curriculum vitae,
  • motivation letter,
  • recommendation letter,
  • enrolment certificate,
  • list of courses passed and grades achieved, relevant to the attendance at course.
  • The applicant should follow detailed instructions on the ENEEP website: Demonstration Courses

The number of accepted participants will be

  • 10 from eligible countries
  • 2 from non-eligible countries

The ENEEP evaluation committee will email all applicants about acceptance or rejection by 15th December 2021 23.59 CET.

Course fee, fellowship:

Participants from eligible countries

The course is free of charge for participants from eligible countries. All selected participants from eligible countries will receive a grant by the ENEEP consortium in the amount of 680 EUR (six hundred and eighty euros). The grant is dedicated to cover accommodation, per diem, local public transport, health insurance, and partially also transport to and from the venue.

Participants from non-eligible countries:

The course fee for participants from non-eligible countries is 1250 EUR (one thousand and two hundred fifty euros). The course fee does not include accommodation, per diem, local public transport, health insurance, and transportation to and from the venue.