University of Massachusetts Lowell Radiation Laboratory

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.

UMLRR
Location of UMLRR
Operating Institution	University of Massachusetts Lowell
Location	Lowell, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°39′17″N 71°19′30″W
Type	Pool
Power	860420650 cal(th)/h
Construction and Upkeep
Construction Cost	$1.2 million USD
Construction Began	1974
First Criticality	1975 January 2
Annual Upkeep Cost	$0.3 million USD
Staff	2
Operators	6
Technical Specifications
Max Thermal Flux	1.4e13 n/cm^2-s
Max Fast Flux	9.2e12 n/cm^2-s
Fuel Type	plate type 18 per assembly
Cooling	light water
Neutron Moderator	light water
Neutron Reflector	graphite, light water
Control Rods	Boron-Aluminium-Carbide (Boral) 4 per element
Cladding Material	aluminium alloy

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

1. "University of Massachusetts, Lowell - Safety Analysis Report, (Chapters 1-7) Redacted For Public Release" (PDF). US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
2. "Nuclear Research Reactors in the World". Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
3. Velella, Rob. "Nuclear Fallout" from The UMass Lowell Connector (student newspaper). November 20, 2001. p. 1
4. 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.
5. "Bridge Servlets" (PDF). www.osti.gov.
6. "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