Characterization and Application of the Thermal Neutron Radiography Beam in the Egyptian Second Experimental and Training Research Reactor (ETRR-2)

The Experimental, Training, Research Reactor (ETRR-2) is an open-pool multipurpose reactor (MPR) with a core power of 22 MWth cooled and moderated by light water and reflected with beryllium. It has four neutron beams and a thermal columnas the main experimental devices. The neutron radiography facility unit utilizes one of the radial beam tubes. The track-etchtechnique using nitrocellulose films and converter screen is applied. In this work, the radial neutron beam for the thermalneutron radiography facility has been characterized and the following values were determined:thermal flux of 1.5×107 n/cm2⋅s, nth/γ ratio of 0.1×106 n⋅cm−2⋅mR−1; a Cd ratio of 10.26, a resolution of 0.188 mm,and L/D ratio of 117.3. This characterization verifies the design parameters of the unit. Various radiographs were takenand results indicate that the neutron radiography facility of the ETRR-2 holds promising opportunities for nuclear as wellas nonnuclear applications