Assessment of the Implementation of a Neutron Measurement System During the Commissioning of the Jordan Research and Training Reactor

The Jordan Research and Training Reactor (JRTR) is the first research reactor in Jordan, the commissioning of which is ongoing. The reactor is a 5-MWth, open-pool type, light-water-moderated, and cooled reactor with a heavy water reflector system. The neutron measurement system (NMS) applied to the JRTR employs a wide-range fission chamber that can cover from source range to power range. A high-sensitivity boron trifluoride counter was added to obtain more accurate measurements of the neutron signals and to calibrate the log power signals; the NMS has a major role in the entire commissioning stage. However, few case studies exist concerning the application of the NMS to a research reactor. This study introduces the features of the NMS and the boron trifluoride counter in the JRTR and shares valuable experiences from lessons learned from the system installation to its early commissioning. In particular, the background noise relative to the signal-to-noise ratio and the NMS signal interlock are elaborated. The results of the count rates with the neutron source and the effects of the discriminator threshold are summarized.