Determination of α and f parameters at the 14-MW TRIGA reactor at Pitesti, Romania

For experimental α determination the two-monitor method has been applied to determine α parameter in the irradiation channels at TRIGA 14 MW reactor (SCN Pitesti). The modified two-monitor method by using Cd ratio measurements eliminates the introducing of systematic errors due to the inaccuracy of absolute nuclear data. This characterization of the epithermal neutron spectrum is used in the k0-method of NAA, implemented at the SCN Pitesti. Neutron spectrum parameters were determined in the inner irradiation channel XC-1 and for outer irradiation channels: Beryllium J-6, Beryllium J-7, and Beryllium K-11. For α and f parameter verification a standard reference material denominated ECRM379-1 was analyzed using k0 standardization.