HOW THE Test Reactor Advanced WORKS THE REACTOR ADVANCED TEST The Advanced Test Reactor at REACTOR ATR, Idaho National Laboratory is the LOCATED AT THE ATR only U.S. research reactor capable COMPLEX ON THE INL of providing large-volume, high- SITE 50 MILES WEST ux neutron irradiation in a OF IDAHO FALLS prototype environment.

Scientists use test reactors to generate high levels of neutron radiation to test new materials, see how advanced fuel behaves in real reactor conditions, or create medical isotopes. 125-160° 77 250 ~50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT TEST POSITIONS MWth TIMES SMALLER ATR OPERATING WHERE MAX ATR THAN THE CORE TEMPERATURE EXPERIMENTAL POWER LEVEL VOLUME OF A SAMPLES CAN TYPICAL COMMERCIAL BE PLACED POWER REACTOR

1 The Fuel - ATR’s unique cloverleaf- shaped core allows its corner lobes to run at di erent power levels, making it possible to expose di erent areas of the reactor to varying neutron ux levels. 2 Control Cylinders - Cylinders surrounding the fuel can be rotated to absorb neutrons or reect them back toward test 3 loops, allowing precise control 2 of power levels in each loop. 3 Test Loops - Multiple experiments can run simultane- 1 ously under distinct temperature, pressure and irradiation conditions. 4 Irradiation Ports - Material samples 4 that don't require precise experiment conditions can be inserted in dozens of test positions. THE CORE OF THE ADVANCED TEST REACTOR

Why Test Reactors Matter The Tests

Energy Test reactors generate volumes of neutrons Research reactors enable the testing far higher than those produced by a and demonstration that underlies safe commercial power reactor. So scientists can and ecient production of nuclear put new materials into a test reactor for energy, which supplies roughly 20 several months to see how they'd hold up percent of U.S. electricity. after several years in a power plant. The neutron ux can also be used to create Medicine medical isotopes. Medical isotopes can help treat cancer, Neutrons - As uranium atoms ssion, they diagnose disorders or address ailments emit high-energy neutrons that either are such as arthritis and hyperthyroidism. absorbed by atoms within the fuel or collide Millions of patients around the world with other materials inside the reactor. benet from nuclear medicine. Test capsules - Materials sealed inside Materials Science robust test capsules can be inserted into the Scientists and engineers use research reactor to experience its high neutron ux. reactors to test how advanced Test materials - Advanced steels, alloys or materials stand up to the extreme nuclear fuels can be irradiated inside a test conditions inside a nuclear reactor. reactor to see how they withstand reactor conditions. Industry Isotopes - Nonradioactive elements will Researchers in both private industry absorb neutrons inside a test reactor to create and academia can access the radioactive medical isotopes such as Advanced Test Reactor through its cobalt-60. Department of Energy National Scientic User Facility.

www.inl.gov