Development Projects
A brief description of some current activities to improve the facility and experimental capabilities is provided below. More information is available on request.
Relicensing
The K-State reactor is currently undergoing evaluation by the NRC for upgrade in power to 1.25 MW. This involved generating a new Safety Analysis Report, Emergency Plan, Operator Requalification Program, and Environmental Report.
|
|
|
|
Original Hazards Summary Report |
New Safety Analysis Report |
Cooling tower & heat exchanger upgrade
The cooling tower and primary heat exchanger are capable of providing steady state heat removal to approximately 700 kW; to support steady sate operations at 1 MW or higher, a "helper cooling tower" and additional heat exchange plates are being installed.
| |
|
|
Cooling Tower |
Heat Exchanger |
Console Upgrades
The reactor console was replaced in 1993, including improved power level detectors (center section of 1996 Edition). The original power level detectors were retained for possible re-installation, should it prove necessary. To ease the possible transition back to original equipment, many of the console meters associated with the original equipment were left in place, labeled to reflect their status. The new instruments have proven reliable, and a program to acquire spare instruments has been partially successful. Therefore the console was upgrade to remove the "abandoned in place" instruments and install modern instrumentation.
![]() |
|||
|
Original Console |
1993 Edition |
2006 Edition |
2007 Edition |
Neutron Radiography
The K-State reactor has a neutron radiography camera. Exploration of it's capabilties is in progress.
|
|
|
![]() |
|
Neutron Radiography Camera |
Radiography Samples |
Radiograph |
NAA Sample Changer
An automated sample changer is being designed and installed to expand neutron activation analysis capabilities.
![]() |
![]() |
|
|
NAA Lab Detector Bunkers |
Sample Change |
Sample Changer Detail |
Gamma Irradiation Facility
A gamma irradiation facility is being designed and installed at the K-State reactor, using fission products as the radiation source.
Detector Test Facilities
A neutron diffraction system is being developed and installed to deliver a low gamma, monoenergetic neuron beam to a test platform.
|
Detector Test Facility |




