Distinguished Merit Award: Revitalization of CNL’s Travelling Flux Detector System for Neutron Flux
Luke Lebel, Kyle Barlow, Julian Atfield, Normand Lair, Luke Yaraskavitch, David Grand-Maitre, Toban Verdun, Carl Neggers
For the revitalization of CNL’s Travelling Flux Detector System for Neutron Flux Mapping in CANDU Stations.
The traveling flux detector (TFD) system is a tool that AECL/CNL has used for CANDU 6 flux mapping since the 1980s. With the closure of Gentilly-2, however, and after the completion of a large measurement campaign in 2012 during the Point Lepreau refurbishment, it was originally determined to have limited customers for new scan campaigns. With the system’s components ageing, and key experienced staff retiring, the sustainability of the system was in question in the late 2010s.
In 2021, OPG and Bruce Power both contacted CNL to perform flux scanning for their newly refurbished units, starting with Darlington Unit 3. OPG had attempted to perform similar flux mapping manually with their own instruments during the Unit 2 restart, but encountered many challenges. The renewed interest and prospect of new customers brought the TFD capability back as a CNL priority. However, it was necessary for CNL to rebuild the capability to be ready for the measurement campaigns for new include period after customers.This team was tasked with rebuilding the CNL TFD capability and conducting the measurement campaigns for the new customers. This involved a tremendous amount of work to grow the team of TFD operating staff, train them on the use of the systems, and refurbish the ageing components of the TFD equipment. In addition, the core team had to design support systems for coupling the TFD with the reactors and make the system ready for service at the sites, including the development of work plans and test procedures, and carrying out system tests. A project began to update the electronics systems and operating software. The team worked diligently and cooperated to complete this extensive effort and bring the TFD capability back into full service for CNL customers.