MPhil visit to Romania’s Institute for Nuclear Research
After several weeks spent working independently on our dissertation projects, the Nuclear Energy MPhil cohort eagerly gathered at the Cambridge train station for what promised to be an exciting trip to Romania’s Institute for Nuclear Research.
MPhil students outside Romania’s Institute for Nuclear Research
Founded in 1971 and located northwest of Bucharest, the INR supports the Romanian nuclear program. In addition to the manufacture of CANDU fuel elements and reactor components for Romania’s two reactors at Cernavodă, two TRIGA reactors and a suite of hot cell labs enables the Institute’s ongoing contributions to nuclear research.
After a day of travel (and some excellent sandwiches in the taxi), we were welcomed warmly to the facility the next morning for a safety briefing and introduction to the INR. Our hosts then led us on a tour of FCN Pitesti, an on-site fuel production plant operated by Nuclearelectrica. Each year, FCN manufactures nearly 12,000 bundles of CANDU fuel for use in Units 1 and 2 at the Cernavodă Power Plant.
Both robotic and manual manufacturing processes came to life before our eyes as we witnessed the production of zirconium cladding materials from start to finish. We were thoroughly impressed by the precision of the punching machine, the glow of the fuel elements as they were brazed with a beryllium alloy, the carousel that lined cladding tubes with graphite lubricant, the welding of fuel assembly end plates, and the careful inspection of assembly geometry and dimensions prior to preparation for shipment.
Following our morning at the fuel factory, we spent the afternoon in the INR’s hot cell facilities. Researchers not only gave us the opportunity to try our hand at using the robotic arms used to manipulate materials inside of the hot cells, but also demonstrated several techniques used in their labs.
We were shown images of irradiated fuel pellets under a microscope, identified surface defects in CANDU fuel cladding using eddy current defectoscopy, and used mass spectrometry to analyse the composition of fission gases released into the void volume of a fuel element.
The next morning, our second day at INR began with an introductory lecture regarding their reactor operations. Having both an annular core pulsing reactor (ACPR) and a 14-MW steady-state reactor (SSR) in the same reactor pool, we were excited to tour the facility and observe an operating reactor.
Arriving at the reactor facility, it was the moment we had all been waiting for – the pulse. By rapidly ejecting control rods from the core, a single pulse from the ACPR can generate high fast neutron fluences for experiments. The cohort was collectively mesmerized by the blue glow of the Cherenkov radiation, watching wide-eyed as charged particles swirled through the reactor pool faster than the speed of light.
In addition to our admiration of the ACPR pulse, INR scientists also demonstrated the use of the steady-state reactor for experimentation. We watched as they loaded a ‘rabbit’ containing a gold foil sample into an experimental channel of the reactor. Following the irradiation of this gold foil, we used gamma spectroscopy to measure the neutron flux in the reactor.
Beyond our amazement at watching concepts from our course come to life and the technical content of our visit, we also shared many conversations regarding the political and societal landscape of nuclear power in Romania.
Never ones to be all work and no play, I am also thrilled to report that the MPhil students came out on top as the ultimate victors of a high-stakes pool tournament between the students and staff.
Finally, I must note the great thanks that are due to our gracious hosts for their time and effort in ensuring we had a fruitful visit to their facility. In these final months of our course, it was a great, hands-on opportunity to synthesise all that we had learned.
Audrey Miles
Current NE MPhil student
