GENEPI-3C, a versatile neutron generator for the GUINEVERE ADS feasibility studies

GUINEVERE, Generator-of-Uninterrupted- Intense-NEutrons-at-the-lead-VEnus-REactor, is devoted to ADS feasibility studies and to investigate on-line reactivity monitoring, sub-criticality determination and operational procedures. It will couple a versatile neutron source to the VENUS-F lead core at the SCK*CEN site in Mol (Belgium). It is based on an electrostatic accelerator generating 14 MeV neutrons by bombarding a deuteron beam on a tritium target located in the reactor core. A new accelerator has been developed. It will produce alternatively 1 μs 250 keV deuteron pulses with adjustable repetition rate (40 mA peak), as well as continuous beam (1 mA) with programmable interruptions. Beam will be inserted vertically into the reactor core. The accelerator is designed to enable the vertical section of the beam line to be easily lifted out the reactor bunker for maintenance operations, target changes and core loading procedures. This paper will describe the design of the accelerator and its commissioning in Grenoble (France), before its transfer to the Belgian site. This work is performed within the 6th Framework Program EC project EUROTRANS.GUINEVERE, Generator-of-Uninterrupted- Intense-NEutrons-at-the-lead-VEnus-REactor, is devoted to ADS feasibility studies and to investigate on-line reactivity monitoring, sub-criticality determination and operational procedures. It will couple a versatile neutron source to the VENUS-F lead core at the SCK*CEN site in Mol (Belgium). It is based on an electrostatic accelerator generating 14 MeV neutrons by bombarding a deuteron beam on a tritium target located in the reactor core. A new accelerator has been developed. It will produce alternatively 1 μs 250 keV deuteron pulses with adjustable repetition rate (40 mA peak), as well as continuous beam (1 mA) with programmable interruptions. Beam will be inserted vertically into the reactor core. The accelerator is designed to enable the vertical section of the beam line to be easily lifted out the reactor bunker for maintenance operations, target changes and core loading procedures. This paper will describe the design of the accelerator and its commissioning in Grenoble (France), before its transfer to the Belgian site. This work is performed within the 6th Framework Program EC project EUROTRANS.