Multiple purpose irradiation facility for the Argonauta Reactor

Neutron irradiation in the Argonauta reactor at the IEN-CNEN-RJ are, in general, realized at the principal beam hole, named J-9, with low intensity of thermal neutron. The design of an irradiation facility for multiple applications including a cold neutron source in the reactor was imposed for several reasons. It is here presented in two versions, which are open to discussion with users and other researchers . The first option is the installation of a cold neutron source at the thermal column of the reactor in the direction of the principal irradiation channel. The second option is the source installation concomitant to the present beam of thermal neutrons. The options of a neutron fiber, a beam bending and another facilities were also studied. The justifications for the system design, the chosen geometry, and calculated cold neutron flux are also presented. The cold neutron source and associated facilities result good intensity of neutrons with energy decrease of one decade, without need of burning more fuel. (author)