Title: Vibration analysis of an irradiation device prototype for NTD-Si for the Es-Salam research reactor

Authors: M. Dougdag; M. Harek; M. Salhi; R. Tiberkak; M. Ouali; N. Mellel

Addresses: CRNB/COMENA, Ain-Oussera 17200, Algeria ' Mechanical Department, Blida University, Blida, Algeria ' CRNB/COMENA, Ain-Oussera 17200, Algeria ' Mechanical Department, Blida University, Blida, Algeria ' Mechanical Department, Blida University, Blida, Algeria ' CRNB/COMENA, Ain-Oussera 17200, Algeria

Abstract: The Neutron Transmutation Doping (NTD) technique of silicon is one of those sustainable applications in nuclear technology. Providing such a product involves the construction of an irradiation device that meets quality requirements of doping and addressing challenges related to the nuclear safety design. In reactor core, the irradiation device will be subjected to different types of damages caused by radiation, heat, pressure, dynamic loads, etc. This paper focuses on the assessment of harmful dynamic loads induced by the cooling air flow, the rotating driven system and by the external hazard such as earthquakes that the prototype device at reduced length, constructed in Birine Research Centre of Algeria, is subjected. The main goals are to perform vibration tests out-of-pile at normal operation conditions, to verify that the prototype respects compliance criteria, to select the best operating parameters and to develop and adjust a numerical model. The obtained model will be used to improve an extended full-scale one. The experimental tests and numerical models give globally satisfactory results. Thus, the design of the prototype irradiation device is considered reliable and safe, which allows the realisation of the expected real irradiation device.

Keywords: irradiation device prototype; Es-Salam research reactor; NTD-Si; vibration; FEM; EMA; model adjustment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2021.122773

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2021 Vol.15 No.2, pp.146 - 171

Received: 29 Dec 2020
Accepted: 23 Oct 2021
Published online: 10 May 2022 *

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