What Are the Results of Foil Irradiation in a Reactor?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on the results of irradiating two pure manganese foils in a reactor, one bare and one covered with cadmium. The bare foil exhibited a saturation activity of 1.49 x 107 Bq, while the cadmium-covered foil showed a saturation activity of 2.34 x 106 Bq after a decay period of 1800 seconds. The discussion also addresses the calculation of epithermal neutron flux and 2200-m/s neutron flux in the reactor, as well as the Cd ratio for the core position. Key equations utilized include \(\dot{N} = N \sigma \phi - λN = 0\) and \(A_{sat} = N \sigma \phi\).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of neutron activation analysis
  • Familiarity with the Chart of the Nuclides
  • Knowledge of decay constants and saturation activity
  • Basic principles of reactor physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the saturation activity for different isotopes using neutron flux data
  • Research methods for measuring epithermal neutron flux in reactors
  • Explore the significance of cadmium covers in neutron activation
  • Study the implications of neutron flux variations on reactor safety and efficiency
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for nuclear engineers, reactor physicists, and students studying neutron activation and reactor operations.

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Homework Statement



Two pure manganese foils are irradiated in a reactor. Each foil has a mass of
0.0055 g. One foil is irradiated bare in the reactor. The other foil is irradiated with a
cadmium cover in place. The foils are irradiated for 60.0-s, and then allowed to decay for
1800.0-s prior to counting. The activity of the bare and Cd-covered foils, corrected for
detector efficiency and corrected to the end-of-irradiation (EOI) time, are 1.49 x 107 Bq and
2.34 x 106 Bq, respectively. Figure 1 contains an excerpt from the Chart of the Nuclides
which may contain data useful for completing this problem.

Based on the measured results and the data provided, determine the following:
a. (5 min) The saturation activity of each foil (in Bq).
b. (5 min) The epithermal neutron flux (in n/cm2-s) in this reactor position.
c. (5 min) The 2200-m/s neutron flux (in n/cm2-s) in this reactor position.
d. (5 min) The Cd ratio for this position in the core.

Homework Equations



[tex]\dot{N} = N \sigma \phi - λN = 0 → A_{sat} = N \sigma \phi[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



see attachment
 

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