Annotation of the results obtained in 2023
During the reporting period, extensive research was conducted to investigate the composition of the active medium, explore the feasibility of isotopic modification and implementation, and identify the parameters and conditions required for efficient "pumping" processes. These investigations were aimed at achieving a high conversion rate from the millisecond signature of the neutron flux of the PSN (Plasma Source Neutrons) into coherent optical radiation. Based on the research findings, an investigation was conducted to determine the optimal conditions for enhancing the "brightness" of the PSN plasma in a specific area that includes a blanket with vBSA (variable neutron-collimation Beam-Shaping Assembly) and an active medium. To monitor plasma losses and analyze the efficiency of neutron generation, the (alpha-n) reaction on F-19 was employed. The research outcomes, which involved fine-tuning the values of total and partial reaction cross sections (alpha-n) in order to gather data on monitoring plasma losses from PSN, have been published in the study [Vlaskin G.N., Bedenko S.V., Polozkov S.D., et al. (2023), Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Volume 208, July 2023, 110919, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2023.110919]. Input data sets of the neutron signature for a system of differential equations have been prepared based on the advanced neutron model of the multiplying blanket and PSN, as detailed in the studies by Bedenko et al. (see [Bedenko, et al. (2023), Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Volume 55, Issue 7, July 2023, Pages 2678-2686, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2023.03.032; Bedenko, et al. (2023), Nuclear Energy and Technology, Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages 65-70, https://doi.org/10.3897/nucet.9.102781]). This model accurately describes the process of nuclide kinetics and the dynamic accumulation of excess energy in the isomeric states of excited Gd-156 nuclei. The findings of these extensive studies were presented by master's student A. S. Demin at the Open Scientific and Technical Conference of the Youth Movement of JSC "Siberian Chemical Plant" in Seversk. Additionally, the results were showcased at "The XXI International Symposium on Solid State Dosimetry," organized by the Mexican Society for Solid State Dosimetry. For those interested, the materials from the presentation can be accessed online at the following sources: (1) A recording of the presentation can be found at https://youtu.be/hH6sq91tCRE?t=6550. (2) The published proceedings of the symposium, which includes the detailed presentation, can be found in the "Proceedings" section of the website https://www.smid.org.mx/ing.htm). Research has been conducted (“min-max” problem) on the performance of the "blanket - PSN - vBSA" system in a pulsed mode in order to maximize the neutron yield into the multiplying part of the vBSA-containing blanket. To address imbalances in energy release within the active medium, the project problem was tackled using the differential evolution algorithm, which falls under the category of neural network algorithms. The Monte Carlo method was employed with the Serpent 2.1.32 code to perform calculations, resulting in the creation of tabulated data sets. These data sets were then utilized to determine the optimal blanket loading scheme. By employing differential evolution in the optimization process, the discrepancy between the tabulated sets and the reference data set was minimized, meeting the stipulated requirements for population inversion of Gd-156 levels. The analysis and processing of numerical study results revealed that the neutron energy spectrum in the region where the active medium is located, within the epithermal neutron energy range required for pumping, closely resembles the spectrum generated by the Pu-Be source through (alpha-n) reactions. Utilizing calculations and experiments, we compared the radiation characteristics of IBN-10 and PSN. The findings from these comparisons suggest that it is feasible to replace d-t reactions with (alpha-n) reactions within the energy range needed for pumping the active medium. Furthermore, this substitution has allowed us to validate the results of numerical calculations and justify the potential use of a visualization system currently under development. This system aims to monitor the parameters of the PSN plasma and the neutron flux in vBSA. Presenting project results at scientific events (1) Open scientific and technical conference of the Youth Movement of JSC "Siberian Chemical Plant", April, 11-13, 2023, Seversk. http://atomsib.ru/novosti/8411-na-skhk-provedena-nauchno-tekhnicheskaya-konferentsiya-molodykh-uchenykh-predpriyatij-atomnoj-otrasli-i-profilnykh-vuzov-tomska-i-severska (2) THE XXIII INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON SOLID STATE DOSIMETRY ISSSD 2023, September 25 to 29 2023, Montería Colombia. https://www.smid.org.mx/ing.htm (3) III International conference «Problems of thermonuclear energy and plasma technologies», October 16-21, 2023, Tarusa. https://ptept.mpei.ru/Pages/default.aspx In addition to the planned activities, the following preliminary efforts were carried out during the initial year: (1) The developed method for profiling energy release in the blanket was validated through experimental procedures to determine energy release offsets in the core of the IVG-1M reactor. It should be noted that these experiments were not included in the current RSF grant. The findings of this study have been documented in the publication: Sabitova R.R., Popov Yu.A., Irkimbekov R.A., Bedenko SV et al. (2023) Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Volume 200, October 2023, 110942, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110942. (2) A conceptual framework for the "blanket - PSN - vBSA" module, featuring a neutron output window and a neutron detection system, has been developed.

 

Publications

---