A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Flattop Operations at NCERC. (5th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hayes, David; Bredeweg, Todd; Cutler, Theresa; Goda, Joetta; Grove, Travis; Hutchinson, Jesson; Lamproe, Juliann; McKenzie, George; McSpaden, Alexander; Myers, William; Sanchez, Rene; Walker, Jessie
• Is Part Of: Nuclear science and engineering. Volume 195(2021)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S37
• Page End: S54
• Publication Date: 2021-11-05
• Subjects: Flattop -- criticality experiments -- critical assembly machine -- National Criticality Experiments Research Center -- fast benchmark experiment; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; Nuclear energy; Nuclear engineering; Periodicals; 539.705
• DOI: 10.1080/00295639.2021.1947104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-5639

Abstract

Abstract: The Flattop critical assembly was built and operated from 1958 through 2004 at the Pajarito Site (Technical Area-18), home to the Los Alamos Critical Experiments Facility. Flattop was disassembled in 2005 and refurbished over the course of 3 years. In 2008, Flattop was installed in the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) located in the Device Assembly Facility at the Nevada National Security Site. Startup of Flattop with a uranium core occurred in 2011. This paper details the first 10 years of Flattop operations at NCERC (2011–present).