NSUF 25-5378: Isotopic Analysis of AGN-201 Fuel to Support Benchmarking Project
The objective of this RTE is to conduct ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry) and gamma spectrometry analyses of samples of fuel from Idaho State University's AGN-201 reactor. Samples from the fuel cylinders, comprised of UO2 particles distributed in polyethylene, will be shipped from ISU to INL’s Analytical Laboratory for dissolution and U isotopic analysis via ICP-MS fission product analysis via gamma spectrometry. Analysis will be conducted in less than 9 months, according to the availability of the facility. This RTE supports a larger project and its objectives. ISU is conducting a benchmarking exercise with its HALEU-fueled AGN-201 reactor. The overall objective of the exercise is to prepare a benchmark report to be submitted to the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP) for consideration. The AGN-201 reactor was chosen by the DOE/NRC Collaboration for Criticality Safety Support for Commercial-Scale HALEU for Fuel Cycles and Transportation (DNCSH) for this exercise due its simple design and fuel enrichment of ~19.5%. Many advanced reactor designs will use randomly-dispersed HALEU fuel; however, there is little benchmark data available for such systems. DOE and NRC identified this gap and called for proposals to conduct experiments to prepare new reports. The value of ISU's project report will be greatly enhanced with results of the proposed isotopic analysis of its fueled components. Vendors and regulatory bodies increasingly depend on benchmark data, particularly ICSBEP benchmarks, to validate predictive computer codes for design and safety evaluations. This data not only boosts confidence in code predictions but also aids in uncertainty estimation when combined with processed nuclear data from sources like the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC). Preparation of benchmark data from ISU’s AGN-201 HALEU-fueled reactor will help to fill a gap in HALEU benchmark data as identified by the NRC and the DOE.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Awarded Institution | Idaho State University |
| DOI | 10.46936/NSUF/60015371 |
| Embargo End Date | 2027-09-03 |
| Facility Tech Lead | Noé Morales |
| NSUF Call | FY 2025 RTE 2nd Call |
| PI | Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar |
| PIE Facilities | Analytical Laboratory |
| Prep Facilities | Analytical Laboratory |
| Project Member | Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar - Idaho State University (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8135-629X) |
| Project Type | RTE |