Experience in Nuclear Reactor Physics Laboratory Exercises Using Kartini Research Reactor
Syarip, Puradwi Ismu Wahyono

Centre for Accelerator Science & Technology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, Jl. Babarsari, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

The experience in using Kartini nuclear research reactor for reactor physics laboratory exercises is presented. The effectiveness of nuclear reactor physics laboratory exercises using Kartini reactor is discussed. The method used is through comparative references study with the similar activities at other institutions. Software packages and procedural guides have been developed and used for reactor power and control rod worth calibrations, criticality experiment, experiments to study the xenon stability, neutron flux measurement, reactor start-up/ shutdown operations, etc. For illustration, a computer simulation for reactor criticality experiment is described and result from practical experiment is presented. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that the implementation of reactor physics laboratory exercises using Kartini reactor has a good performance and it was an important role in developing human resources in nuclear reactor field for the country. It is hoped that in the future, Kartini reactor will contribute to regional nuclear education and training programs.

Keywords: Kartini, nuclear, reactor physics, laboratory exercises, education

Topic: 3. Physics Education