Measuring the performances of in-core radiation detectors in a radiation loop

Results of investigations into the sensitivity of the KtV-type small-sized triaxial ionization chambers and cable type Compton emission detectors to gamma radiation are presented. The detectors under consideration are included into automated systems for power distribution, monitoring and control in nuclear reacor cores. Investigations are performed in the RK-LM in-pile loop operating in the IRT-M reactor. Gamma radiation dose rate corresponds to 105 g.eq. of radium. The liquid metal alloy containing 25% indium+62% gallium+13% tin is used as a gamma source. The detector sensitivity calibration is performed without activation of their structural materials with mean-square error being no more than ±4%. The obtained data show that ionization chamber sensitivity to gamma radiation under reactor and loop conditions agree well enough with each other. Ionization chamber sensitivity difference from one another makes up no more than 30%. Emission detector sensitivity spread from the mean value does not exceed ±10%