A computer-controlled Travelling Flux Detector system for CANDU reactors

A transportable Travelling Flux Detector (TFD) system has been developed for use on the NRU research reactor at Chalk River as a first step in developing a TFD system for use on CANDU reactors. The system, which consists of a miniature fission chamber on a motorized winch, is used to calibrate self-powered flux detectors installed in the reactor, and to provide flux profiles. Recently the system has been upgraded to facilitate its use on a power reactor. In the upgraded system, control and data acquisition are handled by micro-computers. This paper describes the new TFD system and presents some of the results obtained on the NRU reactor. Potential applications to power reactors and alternate uses of the system are also discussed