University of Massachusetts Lowell Radiation Laboratory

Laboratory in Lowell, Massachusetts

42°39′17″N 71°19′30″W / 42.65472°N 71.32500°W / 42.65472; -71.32500TypePoolPower860420650 cal(th)/hConstruction and UpkeepConstruction Cost$1.2 million USDConstruction Began1974First Criticality1975 January 2Annual Upkeep Cost$0.3 million USDStaff2Operators6Technical SpecificationsMax Thermal Flux1.4e13 n/cm^2-sMax Fast Flux9.2e12 n/cm^2-sFuel Typeplate type
18 per assemblyCoolinglight waterNeutron Moderatorlight waterNeutron Reflectorgraphite, light waterControl RodsBoron-Aluminium-Carbide (Boral)
4 per elementCladding Materialaluminium alloy

The Radiation Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Lowell serves the Department of Applied Physics among others. The laboratory contains the University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor (UMLRR), a 1 MW pool-type research reactor^[1] that has been operating since 1974, along with a 300 kCi Co-60 gamma ray source and a 5.5 MeV Van de Graaff accelerator.

Reactor

The first startup was on January 2, 1975.^[2] A budget for the reactor is not provided by the university or the state; funding comes from customer irradiations, grants, and the United States Department of Energy.^[3]^[4]

Conversion to LEU

The UMass Lowell reactor has been one of the many research reactors to make the conversion from high-enriched uranium (HEU) to low-enriched uranium (LEU) as a part of anti-terrorism security measures.^[5] The used HEU fuel was reportedly shipped to the Savannah River Site. The original shipping date was June 2002 but had been postponed many times. As of present-day the shipments have been made and the reactor is in operation with LEU.

Neutron Irradiation Capabilities

Neutron irradiation facilities at the UMLRR include: 1x 8-inch beam port, 2x 6-inch beam ports, in-core radiation baskets & flux trap, thermal column, and fast neutron irradiator (FNI).^[6]

References

^ "University of Massachusetts, Lowell - Safety Analysis Report, (Chapters 1-7) Redacted For Public Release" (PDF). US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
^ "Nuclear Research Reactors in the World". Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
^ Velella, Rob. "Nuclear Fallout" from The UMass Lowell Connector (student newspaper). November 20, 2001. p. 1
^ Binney, S.E.; S.R. Reese; D.S. Pratt (February 22, 2000). "University Research Reactors: Contributing to the National Scientific and Engineering Infrastructure from 1953 to 2000 and Beyond". National Organization of Test, Research and Training Reactors. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2007.
^ "Bridge Servlets" (PDF). www.osti.gov.
^ "University of Massachusetts, Lowell - Safety Analysis Report (Chapters 8 - 15) Redacted For Public Release" (PDF). US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

External links

Applied Physics Departmental Site
ABC's Radioactive Roadtrip Security Review

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Located in: Lowell, Massachusetts

Academics

Research

Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute
Radiation Laboratory

Campus

Allen House
Kenneth R. Fox Student Union
Middlesex County Training School (West Campus)
Wannalancit Mills

Athletics

Student life

Founded: 1894

v t e United States research reactors
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U.S. company-operated research reactors	Aerotest Operations Inc. Dow Chemical Company General Electric Company Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Veterans Administration
U.S. National Labs with nuclear research reactors	Argonne National Laboratory Brookhaven National Laboratory (All Shut down) Hanford Site Idaho National Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory Savannah River Site