Optimization of conditions for topaz irradiation in the WWR-K reactor

• Autorzy: Sairanbayev Darkhan S. , Shaimerdenov Asset A. , Aitkulov Magzhan T. , Gizatulin Shamil Kh.

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.2478/nuka-2024-0019

• Konferencja: International Conference on Development and Applications of Nuclear Technologies NUTECH 2023 (22-24 September 2023 ; Krakow, Poland)
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Activation of impurities in topazes happens due to irradiation with thermal neutrons (induced radioactivity occurs), which complicates their further handling. This leads to the need for their long cooling for safe use. The Institute of Nuclear Physics (Kazakhstan) is conducting R&D to develop a method for the effective formation of color centers in topaz during their irradiation in the WWR-K reactor. An irradiation capsule design has been developed in which optimized conditions for irradiating stones in the neutron field of the reactor are formed. The capsule uses shielding materials made of boron carbide and tantalum to cut off thermal neutrons, resulting in a reduction in induced radioactivity in topaz. The effectiveness of the irradiation capsule was tested in the core of the critical facility. As a result, thermal neutron flux is reduced by 5.7 times and the induced activity of the tantalum is reduced by 2.2 times.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

critical facility; sandwich screen; tantalum; topaz; WWR-K reactor

• Wydawca: Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology
• Czasopismo: Nukleonika
• Rocznik: 2024
• Tom: Vol. 69, No. 2
• Strony: 129--133
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 12 poz., rys.

Twórcy

autor

Sairanbayev Darkhan S.

• Laboratory of Atomic Energy Safety Problems Institute of Nuclear Physics Ibragimov 1 St., 050032 Almaty, Kazakhstan

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7587-3461

autor

Shaimerdenov Asset A.

• Laboratory of Atomic Energy Safety Problems Institute of Nuclear Physics Ibragimov 1 St., 050032 Almaty, Kazakhstan

• https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0304-2049

autor

Aitkulov Magzhan T.

• Laboratory of Atomic Energy Safety Problems Institute of Nuclear Physics Ibragimov 1 St., 050032 Almaty, Kazakhstan

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9089-3409

autor

Gizatulin Shamil Kh.

• Laboratory of Atomic Energy Safety Problems Institute of Nuclear Physics Ibragimov 1 St., 050032 Almaty, Kazakhstan

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5452-9570

Bibliografia

• 1. Mironova-Ulmane, N., Skvortsova, V., & Popov, A. I. (2016). Optical absorption and luminescence studies of fast neutron-irradiated complex oxides for jewellery applications. Low Temp. Phys., 42, 584–587. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4959017.
• 2. Krambrock, K., Ribeiro, L. G. M., Pinheiro, M. V. B., Leal, A. S., Menezes, M. Â. de B. C., & Spaeth, J. -M. (2007). Color centers in topaz: comparison between neutron and gamma irradiation. Phys. Chem. Minerals, 34, 437–444. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00269-007-0160-z.
• 3. Mohamed Nader, M. A., & Gaheen, M. A. (2016). Design of fast neutron channels for topaz irradiation. Nucl. Eng. Des., 310, 429–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2016.11.001.
• 4. Leal, A., Krambrock, K., Ribeiro, L. G. M., Menezes, M. A., Vermaercke, P., & Sneyers, L. (2007). Study of neutron irradiation-induced colors in Brazilian topaz. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. Sect. A-Accel. Spectrom. Dect. Assoc. Equip., 580, 423–426. https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.nima.2007.05.069.
• 5. Baitelesov, S. A., Ibragimova, E. M., Kungurov, F. R., & Salikhbaev, U. S. (2011). Effect of the VVR-SM neutron spectrum on the radioactivity and color of natural topazes. Atom. Energy, 109, 355–361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-011-9368-6.
• 6. Mi, X., Guo, S., Wang, G., & Qian, D. (2019). Design of in-pile topaz color-alteration device. High Power Laser and Particle Beams, 31(1), 97–100. (in Chinese).
• 7. International Atomic Energy Agency. (2001). The applications of research reactors. Vienna: IAEA. (IAEA-TECDOC-1234).
• 8. Nassau, K. (1985). Altering the color of topaz. Gems Gemol., 21(1), 26–34.
• 9. Zhang, J., Lu, T., Wang, M., & Chen, H. (2011). The radioactive decay pattern of blue topaz treated by neutron irradiation. Gems Gemol., 47(4), 302–307.
• 10. Safwat Salama Mohamed Soubih Salama. (2011). Study on properties of some treated gemstones. Unpublished thesis. Benha University, Egypt.
• 11. Akhanov, A. M., Aitkulov, M. T., Sairanbayev, D. S., Gizatulin, Sh. Kh., Romanova, N. K., Shaimerdenov, A. A., Chikhray, Y. V., Ualzhanov, Zh., & Zholdybayev, T. K. (2022). Irradiation capsule design for neutron coloration of topaz in a WWR-K reactor. Appl. Radiat. Isot., 190, 110472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110472.
• 12. VNIIFTRI-State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation. (1986). Characteristics of neutron fields. The technique of neutron activation measurements. VNIIFTRI. (MI1393-86).

Uwagi

Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr POPUL/SP/0154/2024/02 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki II" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki (2025).