The power output of fusion experiments and fusion reactor-like devices is measured in terms of the neutron yields which relate directly to the fusion yield. In this paper we describe the devices and methods used to make the new in situ calibration of JET in April 2013 and its early results. The target accuracy of this calibration was 10%, just as in the earlier JET calibration and as required for ITER, where a precise neutron yield measurement is important, e.g., for tritium accountancy. We discuss the constraints and early decisions which defined the main calibration approach, e.g., the choice of source type and the deployment method. We describe the physics, source issues, safety and engineering aspects required to calibrate directly the Fission Chambers and the Activation System which carry the JET neutron calibration. In particular a direct calibration of the Activation system was planned for the first time in JET. We used the existing JET remote-handling system to deploy the 252 Cf source and developed the compatible tooling and systems necessary to ensure safe and efficient deployment in these cases. The scientific programme has sought to better understand the limitations of the calibration, to optimise the measurements and other provisions, to provide corrections for perturbing factors (e.g., presence of the remote-handling boom and other non-standard torus conditions) and to ensure personnel safety and safe working conditions. Much of this work has been based on an extensive programme of Monte-Carlo calculations which, e.g., revealed a potential contribution to the neutron yield via a direct line of sight through the ports which presents individually depending on the details of the port geometry.
COBISS.SI-ID: 28006439
A digital meter of reactivity (DMR) is applied for the measurements of physical parameters of the reactor cores of the TRIGA reactor and in the Nuclear power plant Krško (NEK). The DMR used uncompensated ionization cells in order to obtain the neutron flux signal in the past. At the TRIGA reactor only one ionization cell is currently used for flux measurements. During the insertion of one control rod the neutron flux distribution is significantly altered affecting the flux measurements of inserting different control rods. The problem is presently solved by assigning a correction factor to each control rod what introduces an additional uncertainty. In the present paper the implementation of four fission cells for reactivity measurements is presented. In this way determining the correct gamma background and its subtraction, performed by DMR algorithms, becomes less important as previously by using ionisation chambers. The larger number of detectors also reduces the flux redistribution effects on the signal during individual control rod movements.
COBISS.SI-ID: 27725095