New Neutron Imaging Facility NIFFLER at Very Low Power Reactor VR-1

Abstract

The paper describes the construction of the neutron imaging facility at the very low-power research reactor VR-1. The training reactor VR-1 is operated by the Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic. It is mainly used for the education of students in the field of nuclear engineering as well as for the training of professionals. Neutron imaging is the new field of VR-1 reactor utilisation currently under development. Extremely low reactor power at the level of 100 W brought many challenges that were necessary to overcome to build and commission a sustainable neutron radiography facility. The paper describes the reactor’s neutron flux verification and the basic concept and design of the neutron imaging instrumentation. The first experimental results were mainly dedicated to testing the detection system for different radial beam port configurations, different L/D ratios, and different exposure times. Preliminary results of neutron radiography and tomography measurements at VR-1 clearly showed the potential of using neutron imaging in low-power reactors such as the VR-1 reactor.