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OYSTER Annual Report
Building Pearl and concluding the tender
Colophon Text Reactor Institute Delft, TU Delft
Graphic design Atelier Pan
Cover design Kennis in Beeld
Text editing De Taalfax
TU Delft Reactor Institute Delft Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB, Delft +31 015 27 86744 www.rid.tudelft.nl
1 OYSTER
Foreword We are very proud of our first OYSTER beam instru-
responsible for building a cold neutron source in
ment, PEARL, which is about to be taken into opera-
our reactor. This will allow us to increase the inten-
tion. PEARL will permit the unravelling of the crystal
sity of low-energy neutrons which will improve the
structure of (energy) materials, such as lithium
sensivity of our instruments. Following an intensive
batteries, hydrogen storage materials and magneto
and careful selection process with the pre-selected
caloric devices. The PEARL-team started the ‘hot
suppliers the contract agreement with consortium
commissioning phase’ of this neutron powder diffrac-
KHC; KAERI, Hyundai Engineering and Hyundai
tometer in 2014. The experiments to-date show that
Engineering & Construction was signed on Novem-
they are building a competitive instrument with very
ber 3. His Majesty the King of the Netherlands and
promising results. The instrument will be calibrated
the President of the Republic of Korea attended the
in the first half of 2015. It will enable scientists to
ceremony. We are happy to notice that the Korean
perform experiments in Delft and not at other neu-
companies are highly motivated to introduce their
tron sources such as in France or the UK.
innovative nuclear designs to the European market. The current annual report provides an update to all
In addition to this, our scientists have built the
these areas along with more OYSTER related issues
science case for attracting external funding for
of interest.
another beam instrument called FISH. FISH refers to First Imaging Station Holland and is a neutron
This third OYSTER year was a very rewarding year
instrument by which a very versatile way of looking
enabling us to look with confidence to the future. For
in the inside of objects becomes possible without
next year we will continue building and expanding
having to destroy them. It will serve a broad
our instruments and irradiation facilities. And, it goes
community of users from industry, material science,
without saying that the necessary preparations for
cultural heritage to biology.
the reactor modifications are being continued.
The funding we attracted for our positron instrument PALS will enable us to get a better understanding of how very small defects in materials are created
Prof. dr. Bert Wolterbeek
through prolonged exposure to humidity and light.
Director of the
This technique is, among other things, very import-
Reactor Institute Delft
ant in developing production methods for improved
Head of the Department on
long-term stability of solar cells.
Radiation Science & Technology
We have finalised the European tendering process for selecting the main contractor who will be
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
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3
Contents
Foreword OYSTER in short Reactor & Utilities Instruments Developments in the irradiation facilities The European Spallation Source Review by NWO Financial overview Communication Planning
1 4 8 12 22 26 28 30 31 32
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OYSTER in short
An introduction (pages 4-7) to the OYSTER programme and RID.
The OYSTER programme (Optimized Yield - for Science, Technology and Education - of Radiation), co-funded by the Dutch government, TU Delft and a number of commercial parties, is to expand the potential of the research reactor by improvements and expansions of the RID infrastructure (reactor, instruments, facilities).
This expansion will enable current and future educational, scientific and societal questions to be better addressed. RID also contributes in-kind, through OYSTER, to the ESS (European Spallation Source in Lund, Sweden), by means of the development of neutron instruments.
The Reactor Institute Delft The Reactor Institute Delft (RID) of TU Delft is a knowledge centre for nuclear issues. It operates the reactor, the irradiation facilities and laboratories, as well as neutron- and positron instruments. In conjunction with the Department of Radiation Science & Technology (RST) of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, RID accommodates resident and visiting scientists and other users from a variety of (scientific) disciplines. RID educates students, professionals and scientists, and serves as an independent source of information for society on radiation- and nuclear-related issues.
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5
Our five main goals 1
To further develop RID as a coordinating centre for the application of neutron, positron and radiochemistry science and techniques, as well as radiation detection and reactor technology, thereby supporting and uniting the Dutch scientific community.
The technique
2
To create a home base for neutron scattering and mobi-
The installation of a Cold Neutron Source (CNS), which will cool
lize the scientific community
neutrons from room temperature to -250 ÂşC and will therefore in-
to secure Dutch collaboration
crease the intensity of low-energy neutrons by more than an order
with major international neu-
of magnitude. This will improve the sensitivity of existing top-class
tron sources.
instruments. The design and construction of new research instruments.
3
To establish RID as a knowledge centre and training institute in Europe, and there-
The (re-) design and construction of (new) irradiation facilities,
fore a coordinating partner in
which permit the (development of) production of radioisotopes with
European research networks.
unprecedented purity and which will increase the sensitivity and opportunities of research with isotopically enriched stable isotopes.
4
To stimulate ground-breaking innovations in the field of
The design and installation of a miniature hot-cell/decanning facility
neutron, positron, reactor and
for submerged access of irradiated samples from the irradiation
radiochemistry science.
facilities. The hot cell serves mainly as a decanning facility of canisters containing samples, irradiated for the research programme by innovative production methods of (medical) radioisotopes, and for subsampling of these samples to study radiation damage effects.
5
To sustain RID’s leading role in the use and knowledge of world-class instruments, such as continuous positron
The design of irradiation facilities positioned in the tangential beam
beams, as well as the devel-
tube of the reactor, to undertake research into alternative production
opment of new routes for ra-
methods for e.g. Molybdenum-99 (99 Mo).
dioisotope production and the ISO 17025 accredited laboratory for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis.
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Participation in large international and national collaborations
RID participates in the development of the European Spallation Source (ESS, www.EuropeanSpallationSource.se) in Lund, Sweden, which is an international collaborative facility for materials research using neutron scattering techniques. The Dutch contribution to the pre-construction phase of the ESS is partly financed through OYSTER. For this purpose RID works on the development of novel instrumental concepts for the ESS and in close collaboration with the ESS scientists. RID participates in the R&D of Holland Particle Therapy Centre (Holland PTC, www.HollandPTC.nl) dedicated to innovative radiation treatment of cancer, using proton beams, as well as in a collaborative R&D program at TU Delft, the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) and the Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam (Erasmus MC). HollandPTC is under construction and will be located on the RID premises. OYSTER research also strengthens the role of RID in supplying innovative ideas towards the envisioned PALLAS reactor (www.pallasreactor.com), which is to become one of the world’s leading production sites for medical isotopes. The OYSTER-initiated new irradiation facilities enhances RID’s position in DIVA (Dutch Isotope Valley). This is an R&D collaboration set up between URENCO, RID and NRG/PALLAS, aimed to optimize efforts to develop, engineer and produce the best possible medical isotopes for clinical use in both (radio)diagnostic and (radio) therapeutic hospital protocols. Finally, OYSTER highlights the role of TU Delft’s RID as an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Collaborating Centre by demonstrating the many innovative scientific opportunities in the utilization of a medium-sized university research reactor.
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Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
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Reactor & Utilities The modification of the reactor deals with a modification of the connection between core and instrument facilities in order to allow the installation of a Cold Neutron Source (CNS). The objective of this modification is to increase the cold neutron flux in order to realize the best conditions for experiments connected to the neutron beam.
Closing out the EU competitive dialogue tender
Photo: Signing of contract agreement in South Korea (Robin Utrecht Fotografie)
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
Cold Neutron Source Utilities consist of the installation of all utility systems to the CNS which will be located outside the reactor building. This includes a new CNS Utility building with a cryogenic installation next to the Reactor hall and all associated equipment required to produce cooling capacity for cooling the Cold Neutron Source.
OYSTER
In Q2 2014 all pre-selected parties
After this intensive and careful selec-
schedule is planned after receiving
presented their final tenders for the
tion process, the clear decision could
the basic engineering design. This
realisation of the OYSTER project.
be made to select the consortium
milestone was included as during the
Many technical discussions took
KHC; KAERI, Hyundai Engineering
time of contract award the impact of
place between RID and the potential
and Hyundai Engineering & Con-
the DSR legislation on the original
suppliers as part of the tendering pro-
struction, as the winning contractor to
scope as well as the final cost of the
cess. In order to support the decision
implement the OYSTER Engineering,
OYSTER project was not known.
9
process our External Expert Team (see Box) was consulted. A major contribution by the expert team was
The external expert team
made to the evaluation of the various contractor designs during the Europe-
Toni Scheuer
an tendering procedure. The team’s
Nuclear Technology Consultant for TUV Rheinland Group.
conclusions were used as an impor-
Specialized in licensing issues, and material- and component
tant background to independently
qualification.
support the decision making process.
•
Welding procedures, Materials, Codes & standards
Further involvement of the Expert Team is foreseen after the final sup-
Stephan Welzel
plier selection to support the engi-
Chief coordinator reactor upgrade Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
neering and construction phase (from
specialized in CNS process technology and operational aspects
Q2 2015 until 2018).
•
CNS process technology
Stuart Ansell During 2014 scientist at ISIS STFC (UK) specialized in Cold Neutrons equipment design for research reactors. •
Leading specialist for optimization processes neutronics
Procurement & Construction (EPC).
Besides the involvement of the expert
On November 3 the contract agree-
team, Nuclear Research and consul-
ment between TU Delft and consor-
tancy Group (NRG) was hired for the
tium KHC was signed in South Korea
preparation of the Safety Analysis
attended by his Majesty King of the
Report and the environmental impact
Netherlands and the President of the
assessment. In a joint effort between
Republic of Korea.
RID, the supplier and the Regulator, the DSR will be further worked out to
As part of the OYSTER contract, a
a final status.
Go/No-Go decision based on a total cost estimate and a fixed project Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
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Start of the basic engineering design
The main issues were the sizing of the thermosyphon as part of the In-Pool-Assembly for the Reactor Modifications. The basis for this is the correct simulation of our core performance together with the new CNS equipment.
The basic design phase of
The basic safety philosophy for the CNS has already been estab-
the Reactor Modifications
lished, including the safety classes, quality classes and the codes
and CNS Utilities started in
and standards to be used. This resulted in a document that has
2014.
been discussed with the Regulator. The choice of cryogenic unit became the most important challenge for the CNS Utilities package. Firstly, given it had to be located near
Figure: Cross section of the Cold Neutron Source (KAERI)
the reactor in a separate building as yet to be designed, this was also partly due its size. The simulation also plays a crucial role here in determining the total cooling capacity. The cost estimate based on the above detail of the original OYSTER Scope of Work will become available in Q2 2015 together with the best estimate of extra costs related to the new Dutch Safety Requirements (DSR). However this extra cost will remain uncertain as long as the final DSR legislation is not established.
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
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Licensing ‘Environmental Impact
invited to participate in the discussion
2014 the ministry issued notice that
Assessment’ (MER)
with the Dutch regulator for advice
the formal publication of the DSR had
One of the conditions for obtaining
and comments regarding the further
been postponed to mid-2015. There-
a new operating permit for the RID
development of these new require-
fore the original overall delay due
reactor is to describe the impact of
ments.
to the DSR impact estimated at one year might increase.
the OYSTER modification project on the environment, through a so-called
As presented during the workshop in
Environmental Impact Assessment
June 2013 a draft version of the DSR
(milieueffectrapportage, MER). The
was expected mid-2014. In Decem-
Ministry of Economic Affairs issued a
ber 2013 the Ministry of Economic
detailed set of MER guidelines for the
Affairs reported that the draft version
OYSTER project (‘Notitie Reikwijdte
of the DSR would be ready for inter-
en Detailniveau’) in 2013. An elabo-
net consultation by mid-2014 and the
ration of the study has been started
implementation would follow at the
since this point. The MER prepara-
end of 2014. However, in December
Figure: View of the building with future modifcations (Kaan Architecten)
tions will take until the end of 2015. Dutch Safety Requirements (DSR) The OYSTER project necessitates a renewal of the existing license for the RID reactor. From the start of 2013 onwards the required licensing procedures and the associated review schedules for the OYSTER project approach have been discussed with the regulator at the Ministry of Economic Affairs. In June 2013, new and more stringent Dutch Safety Requirements (DSR) for new nuclear reactors were presented at a workshop and the Dutch nuclear community was
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
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Instruments
The instruments: developments during 2014 •
PEARL – a neutron powder diffractometer (under construction)
•
FISH – a new multi-purpose neutron imaging facility, unique within a radius of 500 km. from RID (first preparations to attract external funding)
•
POSH-PALS – positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, using positrons from POSH (external funding granted, first preparations for execution)
•
SANS – a new small angle diffractometer with a dedicated cold beam line (under construction)
•
NDP – neutron depth profiling spectrometer (first results)
•
MÖSSBAUER SPECTROSCOPY – a new in-beam Mössbauer facility (first preparations to attract external funding)
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Commissioning PEARL: a competitive neutron powder diffractometer The neutron powder diffractometer PEARL will unravel the crystal structure of materials, for example, energy materials such as batteries and hydrogen storage materials. To achieve that, PEARL reflects neutrons of a particular wavelength from the reactor core to the sample. The neutrons scattered by the sample are measured by the detector, which is located around the sample. The distribution of the intensity of scattered neutrons around the sample (i.e. the resulting diffraction pattern) is the ‘fingerprint’ of crystal structure inside the sample.
The ‘hot commissioning phase’ of the PEARL neutron powder diffractometer started in 2014. The PEARL team built prototypes of the detector and the monochromator to be able to perform those first experiments. The design and construction of the final detector and monochromator was continued in parallel during the year. By the end of the year 18 out of 24 monochromator crystals had been aligned and installed and the design of the detector was finalized in collaboration with the detector experts of the ISIS neutron facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Photo: Fibres of the PEARL instrument (Herman Kempers Fotografie)
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
in Oxfordshire (UK). All the main
OYSTER
hardware parts had been ordered.
in 20101. Those experiments demon-
The in-house construction of the
strated that PEARL will be a competi-
11 128-pixel detector banks was
tive medium resolution diffractometer,
finalized and all of the 1408 pixels
despite the relatively low core bril-
had been calibrated in a neutron
liance.
beam. This final detector will be installed in the beginning of 2015.
In the first half of 2015 all major components of PEARL will be
The ‘hot commissioning’ started off
installed and the instrument will be
with copper foil measurements at
calibrated. The first experiments
the monochromator position and the
will then be performed on energy
sample position, which confirmed the
materials, such as magneto-caloric,
thermal neutron fluxes simulated in
battery and hydrogen-storage.
2011 and 2012. Using the prototype detector of 64 pixels in 2Θ, diffraction data was collected ‘manually’ to inspect the performance of the new concept as proposed by Leo Cussen
1. L. D. Cussen, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 583 (2007) 394–406.
15
Photo: Topview of the PEARL instrument (Herman Kempers Fotografie)
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Photo: PEARL-team (Herman Kempers Fotografie)
First Imaging Station Holland
Neutron imaging is a very versatile technique to reveal secrets inside materials without the need to destroy the object. Water or air bubbles inside concrete while it’s hardening or plastic parts trapped in steel housing can be seen with neutron imaging, whereas this is not possible with X-ray imaging. FISH refers to First Imaging Station Holland and is a neutron imaging station that will be unique within a 500 km radius from Delft. This instrument
– FISH
is designed for neutron radiography and tomography, which given the nature of neutron radiation is complementary to X-ray imaging.
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A pilot investigation entitled “Paving the way for a neutron imaging setup Delft” was undertaken to study the possibilities of a neutron imaging sta-
A piece of Glare (used on Airbus A380) mounted on a
tion in Delft. This pilot was designed
stepper motor to make 400 projections and the shiny
to support the science case within an
surface of the neutron camera. The possible inter-
upcoming proposal to attract external
nal damage around the small hole is the focus of the
funding. Potential users were se-
investigation (left). One of the images where the lam-
lected and the researchers deci-
inated structure of the glare is clearly visible (middle).
ded what could already be achieved
Tomographic reconstruction where we can make virtual
using an improvised setup in the RID
cuts in the material so damage around the hole can be
experimental hall. Several approach-
detected (right).
es to obtain the best images and best reconstructions were studied at the ‘state of the art’ imaging station at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland. This resulted in many improvised imaging experiments with neutrons and X-rays, new reconstruction software and a new neutron camera. The conclusion of the pilot investigation was that a Delft neutron imaging station would be a very powerful neutron application and serve a broad
An example of a biological sample, a rhino Beetle,
community of users from industry,
where the thickness of the protective armour was inves-
material science, cultural heritage to
tigated without destroying the specimen (left). Several
biology. The instrument will be de-
views of the tomographic 3D reconstruction of the
signed to be very flexible to cope with
sample (middle). A virtual cut can be made with ease to
all the potential sample environments.
measure the armour thickness (right).
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Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy - POSH-PALS
Photo: Positron remoderation lens system in the B to E convertor section
Positron Annihilation Lifetime
therefore very important in developing
Spectroscopy (PALS) is a unique
production methods for improved
method for identifying defects and
long-term stability of solar cells.
their concentrations in materials.
These are an important building block
These defects, ranging from atomic
for future renewable energy supply
vacancies to nano-voids, have a
in the Netherlands. Recent research
significant influence on the properties
into solar-cell materials shows that
of many materials, but are usually
the presence of defects significantly
too small to be made visible (e.g.
affects the performance of promising
with electron microscopy). An
thin-film solar and amorphous silicon
understanding of how such defects
solar cells.
are created through prolonged exposure to humidity and light is
In 2014, the proposal “Thin-film positron annihilation lifetime spectrometer POSH-PALS for advanced characterization of defects and nanostructures of thin film solar cell layers� was approved in the second phase of the ADEM (A green Deal in Energy Materials) programme. This includes a budget for the components required to construct the POSH-PALS positron lifetime spectrometer. As of the beginning of February 2015 we will start working on computer simulations to optimise the POSH
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
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Magnetic guiding of positrons from the reactor
19
Timing system
Radiation
for PALS using
detector registers
secondary
annihilation
electrons
photons from target
Transfer from magnetic to
Acceleration of
electrostatic guiding and re-moderation stage
positrons Energy filter for separation of moderated Target
positrons Figure: Schematic representation of the working of the POSH-PALS instrument
beam for a first detailed design for
several microns) corresponds one-to-
cell materials, amorphous silicon,
the POSH-PALS spectrometer. In
one to the thicknesses of the solar-
transparent conducting oxides and
POSH-PALS, the magnetically guided
cell layers. With a time resolution
doped layers for silicon wafers will
positron beam will be converted into
of 150 ps it will also be possible to
be researched in the coming years in
an electrostatically guided beam with
investigate the behaviour of defects
collaboration with various universities,
a sub-millimetre focus diameter. By
in self-healing metal alloys and in
the Netherlands Organisation for
generating secondary electrons as
materials with applications in fusion
Applied Scientific Research (TNO),
a starting signal for measuring the
and fission reactors, and to study
the Energy Research Centre of the
time that elapses between positron
their thermal stability. In addition,
Netherlands (ECN) and Dutch
implantation and positron annihilation,
POSH-PALS will be an excellent
solar-cell technology companies.
the expectation is that a time resolu-
instrument for studying the free
tion of 100-150 pico-seconds (ps) will
volume in polymers.
be achieved developing an ultra-fast annihilation-radiation detector.
The POSH-PALS spectrometer will be constructed and set up in 2015,
The depth resolution of the POSH-
and the expectation is that the first
PALS spectrometer (10 nanometer to
experiments will start in 2016. Solar
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Small-Angle Neutron Scattering instrument - SANS
In 2014, the separate components of the SANS instrument were mechanically positioned in the experimental hall, aligned and fixed in their final
Photo: View of the SANS instrument under construction (Marc Blommaert)
The small-angle neutron scattering
position. The velocity selector was
instrument (SANS) allows the user to
tested successfully and its software
investigate structures with particles
control was modernized.
of sizes from 1 up to a 100 nanometres. For larger particles neutrons
In 2015, the 2D detector will be tested
scatter under smaller angles. This
and the calibration of the instrument
allows for a direct characterization
will be performed using the ther-
of the particle size distribution within
mal neutrons of the current reactor
the material. Using this technique
source. The period before the installa-
typically proteins, micelles, polymers,
tion of the cold source the instrument
porous media and precipitates are
gives the opportunity to study strongly
investigated. These are of interest for
scattering samples and will enable
the development of new products in
preliminary neutron imaging studies.
the field of polymer science, colloids,
After the installation of the CNS the
emulsions, food science and metal
instrument will be able to perform at
alloys.
full capacity.
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Neutron Depth Profiling – NDP The Neutron Depth Profiling setup
It is only at the highest rates where
at the RID has recently started
ionic transport through the electrodes
delivering its first results on working
is rate limiting.
Li-ion batteries, which are nowadays so popular in smartphones, cars etc.
This novel insight in electrode kinetics
One of the key challenges of Li-ion
is imperative for the improvement of
electrodes is the enhancement of
Li-ion batteries and demonstrates
(dis-) charge rates. This is severely
the significant value of Li-ion battery
hindered by the absence of a
research and development using the
technique that allows direct and non-
NDP capability to observe the inside
destructive observation of lithium ions
structural changes.
in operating batteries. Direct observation of the Li-ion concentration profiles using Neutron Depth Profiling reveals that the ratelimiting step is not only dependent on the electrode morphology, but also on the cycling rate itself. In the LiFePO4 electrodes phase nucleation limits the charge transport at the lowest cycling rates, whereas electronic conductivity is rate-limiting at intermediate rates.
In-situ NDP spectra during C/10 cycling of a Li-ion battery electrode that contains a double layered electrode with different particle sizes (small (70 nm) particles at the current collector side and large (140 nm) particles at the electrolyte side. The evolution of the Li-ion distribution during a full charge discharge cycle shows that Li-ions preferentially react with smaller particles, giving direction to future high performance electrode design for Li-ion batteries.
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Catalysts are used abundantly in
Producing and using Mössbauer-
the chemical and oil industry for
sensitive nuclei in-beam will largely
synthesizing, e.g. ammonia, natural
increase the number of nuclei usable
gas, hydrogenating oil fractions, etc.
for industrial experiments. Neutrons
Our globally unique state-of-the-art
capture prompt-gamma nuclei for
facility for combined Mössbauer/
in-beam excitation. Continuously
infrared spectroscopy has proven
activated prompt-gamma Mössbauer
to be very valuable for the studies
nuclei will be used in catalysis,
of heterogeneous catalysts under
high-temperature superconductors,
realistic industrial conditions. The
magnetic layers and nuclear waste
high penetrating power of the gamma
research studies.
rays makes Mössbauer spectroscopy
MÖSSBAUER SPECTROSCOPY
a very versatile technique to study
The first Mössbauer-business plan
catalysts while they are at work,
was drafted in 2014. This includes
providing promising information to
these new ideas, and has been used
develop a better understanding of
as the basis for the expression of
the catalytic sites and opening ways
thoughts and approaches on how to
to synthesize novel or improved
fund these new developments.
catalysts.
Developments in the irradiation facilities The irradiation facilities of the RID reactor are used to irradiate various materials with neutrons or other types of radiation in a well-controlled environment. Their major application is related to research focusing primarily on production of radioisotopes, and for analytical purposes such as Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
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Radioisotope research and decanning (hot) cell Nuclear reactors are essential
due to, amongst others, the
new irradiation facilities are required
in producing radioisotopes for
risk of proliferation of nuclear
where the irradiated material can be
diagnostics and therapy, such
material. As an alternative, Delft
cooled and shielded against reactor
as Molybdenum-99 (99Mo),
scientists developed a process for
radiation such as gamma-rays.
and increasingly also for the
the production of similar quality
production of radioisotopes such
Molybdenum-99 without the
In addition, in order to show the
as Holmium-166 (166Ho) and
use of uranium. In this process,
potential of these production
Lutetium-177 (177Lu). In addition
Molybdenum is made radioactive
processes at industrial level, it is
to production, nuclear research
by irradiation with neutrons. An
necessary to at least partly scale-up
reactors play an important role
innovative method is applied to
the production of medical isotopes.
in development of new and the
separate the produced medical
For this purpose a decanning
improvement of existing irradiation
isotope from the chemically identical
(hot) cell for handling highly
facilities that can meet the rapidly
stable Molybdenum.
active materials has been further
changing requirements of the medical industry.
optimised during 2014. The selected In this research, just as the one
positioning of the decanning cell on
involving 166Ho microspheres, it has
the reactor’s second platform has
For instance, Moybdenum-99
been shown that radiation damage
been revisited in view of simplifying
(the mother isotope of the most-
effects occurring during irradiation
the logistics of the irradiation, under
used diagnostic isotope 99mTc)
have tremendous influence on the
water transport and handling of the
is currently mostly produced by
quality of the product. Therefore
irradiation containers. Alternatives
fission of highly enriched uranium
more insight is needed into radia-
are currently being studied.
targets. This is a debated process
tion damage effects. Consequently
Small-target irradiation facilities
Carbon fiber Autonomous Facility for
unpacking the irradiation container.
Irradiation and Analysis (CAFIA) is a
As an example, tens of thousands of
special system allowing the combina-
Selenium measurements – using its
tion of an irradiation facility and spec-
short half-life radioisotope Selenium
trometer into a single instrument. This
77m - have been carried out in Delft
enables the activity of very short-lived
since the end of the 1970s for epi-
radioisotopes (i.e. half-lives down to
demiological studies. This research
1 second) to be measured without
focuses on finding the relation
>>
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
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>> between this element and the
that the neutron flux in this facility
occurrence or prevalence for various
will increase by a factor 3 to 5.
forms of cancer, such as prostate
A mechanism is currently under
cancer.
investigation for disconnecting the tubing system in case the reactor
A pre-design of a new carbon-carbon
bridge has to be moved towards the
composite irradiation end, housed in
large reactor pool for maintenance
an aluminium encapsulation suitable
or in emergency situations, including
for mounting on the reactor grid
the new CAFIA irradiation end on the
plate has been evaluated in 2014
grid.
for further detailing. It is expected
Shielded Irradiation Pneumatic Facility – SIPF and Resonance Irradiation Facility – RIF The SIPF will facilitate irradiations
ray intensity ratio. This facility will
with shielding against gamma-
expand the opportunities of irradiating
radiation using lead filters of
materials having organic nature, as
adjustable size and thickness for
radiation damage will be reduced.
optimizing the neutron/gamma-
Alternative Mo99 production route
Medical isotopes are foremost used
Molybdenum is then extracted from
for early diagnosis of tumours.
the solution and fed into so-called
One of the best-known isotopes
generators to be transported to users.
is Technetium, which can be
This production method is compli-
obtained by radioactive decay of
cated and generates a lot of (radio-
Molybdenum-99. Molybdenum
active) waste relatively speaking.
is produced by nuclear fission of
Research is being conducted on a
Uranium-enriched plates, which
new production method whereby
after irradiation in a high flux reactor,
Molybdenum can be produced
are dissolved in an acid. The
continuously in a beam tube running
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
OYSTER
This facility is especially important
The facility’s design will also provide
a world-unique facility and can result
for the production of polymeric
the opportunity for orientating
in unprecedented improvements
microspheres containing radioactive
experiments with target shielding by
to radioisotope purity and specific
Holmium-166 (166Ho) with specific
neutron filters as intended to be used
activity. It is currently being
activities of at least 25 GBq (per
in the RIF. These neutron filters will
investigated if SIPF and RIF can
100 mg Ho). Radiation therapy with
allow for production of radioisotopes
be designed as a single combined
Holmium microspheres is expected
by activation in a neutron energy
facility.
to become a major procedure for
spectrum with the highest intensity
the treatment of liver tumours. In
in the region of specific resonance
A research proposal for additional
ad dition, the SIPF will be used for
neutron energies. If necessary the
funding for the design, implemen-
other research projects such as the
reduction of the thermal neutron
tation and testing of this facility will
upscaling of the Molybdenum-99
production of interfering radioisotopes
be submitted in 2015 to Technology
neutron capture production process.
could also be achieved. This will be
Foundation STW, as a collaboration
25
of TU Delft and the University of Utrecht, supported by NRG and two other industrial partners.
Figure: Near-Core FlexBeBe with cooled sample position
beside the HOR reactor core. This
world production could be produced
production. On top of that a first
beam tube will be filled with a circula-
in such a way. This method could
judgement was made in terms of the
ting uranyl-sulphate or a uranyl-
be produced in a reactor like the
relevant safety related items. In 2015
nitrate solution, which will have an
proposed new reactor PALLAS to
the system will be further optimised
increased Molybdenum concentration
increase the production scale.
and investigations will start to develop the separation chemistry.
after each core passage. Because of its presence in a solution,
In 2014 research was undertaken to
Molybdenum is expected to be more
optimise the Uranium concentration
easily extracted than in the present
and the liquid flow of the Uranium
commercial processes. About 2% of
solution to maximise the Molybdenum
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
26
OYSTER
The European Spallation Source (ESS)
The European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund (Sweden) is a new multi-disciplinary research centre based on the world’s most powerful neutron source. This new facility will be around 30 times brighter than today’s leading facilities, enabling new opportunities for researchers in the fields of life sciences, energy, environmental technology, cultural heritage and fundamental physics. This next generation neutron source will facilitate a large number of neutron instruments enabling scientists to see and understand basic atomic structures and forces. It will allow the study of various materials, from plastics and pharmaceuticals, to engines, and molecules
. Photo: ESS/Team Henning Larsen Architects Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
OYSTER
27
Through the OYSTER project RID
is needed and many European
RID organised a special ‘Science
is able to invest in the ESS pre-con-
countries have already partnered up
Meets Industry day’, at which ESS
struction program with four RID
with the host countries Sweden and
representatives discussed options
developmental work packages. The
Denmark. The Netherlands has also
with a large number of Dutch interest-
RID approach is to play special
expressed its interest, but has not
ed (industrial) companies.
“tricks” with the spin of the neutron
made a formal financial commitment
that basically allows scientists to
yet and, as a result, has the official
In 2015, RID, together with NWO
reach a much higher resolution than
status of observer.
representing the Netherlands within
by conventional methods. This is one
various ESS consortia, will continue
of the RID’s specialisms and is one
A full partnership of the ESS would
to support and promote Dutch scien-
of the reasons the ESS likes to have
mean, for instance, the Dutch indus-
tific and industrial involvement in the
RID on board.
try delivering engineers or high tech
ESS.
systems in the construction- and subBecause of the (financial) size of the
sequent phases of the ESS, which is
ESS project an international approach currently under construction. In 2014,
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
28
OYSTER
Review by NWO
Recommendations Locate additional funds for instruments and instrument support as a “guaranteed” part of the OYSTER project.
Implementation In May 2014 the second review on the OYSTER project was undertaken by the
Preparations for external
NWO OYSTER Advisory Committee of
funding applications are ongoing
external experts.
for FISH and Mössbauer instruments, and for the several
The committee concluded that
Irradiation Facilities. The
OYSTER “is replaced a great project
preparations are being funded
with huge potential” and made various
from OYSTER budget.
recommendations of which the most important ones are summarized on the right:
The team
Prof. K.N. Clausen
Dr. Dimitri N. Argyriou
Head of the Neutron and Muon
Director for Science at
Research Department and vice
the European Spallation
Director of the Paul Scherrer Institute
Source
(Switzerland)
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
OYSTER
Not to enter into any contract
Organisational aspects with
More involvement of the RID
with a vendor before the
respect to a common vision
scientists in the decision
budget for instruments and
between the various units
making process is advised to
instrument support has been
should be addressed.
strengthen the feeling of joint
fixed.
29
responsibility for its success.
Contract awards will only
RID management has
The involvement of the RID
be granted with sufficient
published its vision, which has
scientists in the OYSTER
financial support. Based on
been amply discussed. The
decision process was already
our successful fund raising
2015 RID activities will be a
established and will be
record we believe we will be
direct result of this vision. In
continued. Senior scientists
able to raise the necessary
2015 a new communication
to act as “champion” have
funds to realize the OYSTER
advisor will be assigned in
been appointed and plans
instrumentation and irradiation
order to support this process.
for both scientific projects
facilities during the coming
and valorisation involving
years.
“their” instrument are under development.
Prof.dr. J.F. Verzijlbergen
Dr. Nico Kos
Head of the Department
Senior Manager (International) Programme
of Nuclear Medicine at the
Innovation at the Chemical & Physical Sciences
Erasmus MC
Division of the Netherlands Organisation For Scientific Research (NWO)
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
30
OYSTER
Financial overview
OYSTER amounts to € 117 million,
OYSTER investment amount to a
covering the initial investments as
total of € 1.3 million. In 2014 ADEM
well as the basic reactor-associated
Innovation Lab granted € 200,000 for
operational costs over a period of 10
POSH-PALS and in addition external
years. In 2012 the Dutch government
funding of € 165,000 was attracted.
awarded € 38 million for OYSTER.
SANS is funded by in-kind TU Delft
TU Delft contributes € 74 million in
contribution. To further realise instru-
kind. Furthermore, TU Delft stands
ments and irradiation facilities, plans
surety for an additional € 5 million.
are being formulated to attract exter-
This is part of the co-funding (in-
nal funding (e.g. for FISH, Mössbauer
dustrial, scientific etc.) that has to be
and Irradiation Facilities).
added to RID/OYSTER to fund the development, commissioning and
The KHC consortium has been
exploitation of instruments and facili-
awarded the contract for the reactor
ties over the total 10-years OYSTER
modification in June 2014. Work
program period and beyond.
to be conducted by KHC has been split in two phases. The Basic
In 2014, a total of € 2.5 million was
Engineering Phase, started in August
spent on the license process, ten-
2014 (contract value € 1.9 million).
dering process, including reimburse-
At the end of Q2 2015 a final cost
ments of tendering parties, the po-
calculation is expected for the entire
sitioning of the OYSTER facility and
reactor modification including the
Dutch Safety Requirements (DSR)
estimation of the extra cost due to the
related costs. TU Delft contributed
new DSR requirements. Based on
€ 9.3 million in kind to the OYSTER
these cost calculations a ‘Go/No go’-
project in 2014.
decision will precede the Construction Phase. Assignment of extra funding to
For the construction of PEARL the
cover the DSR items is an essential
in-kind contribution of TU Delft and
part of this decision.
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
OYSTER
31
Communication
The OYSTER programme will
At the end of 2014 it was decided to
result in improved and expanded
expand the communication hours for
infrastructure around the reactor in
OYSTER. A communications advisor
order to better address current and
(0.6 FTE) dedicated for the OYSTER
future educational, scientific and
project was recruited. The commu-
societal questions. This is the key
nications advisor will start at the
message that we want to share and
RID in the beginning of 2015. New
instil across the relevant research
internal and external communication
communities and other stakeholders.
actions based on the strategy will
We want to inform researchers and
be formulated for the coming years.
scientists, whether from academia,
New communication tools will be
SMEs or large companies, as well
developed and a number of existing
as non-governmental organizations
communication tools such as the
about the opportunities, instruments,
OYSTER website and brochures will
facilities and know-how available at
be expanded and updated.
the Reactor Institute Delft. In 2013, the implementation of the communication strategy was started and focussed mainly on external communication, whereas in 2014 the focus was on the employees of the RID/ RST institute itself. A common vision has been developed and a merged management-team consisting of both the management teams of RID and RST has been established in order to discuss about strategy, instrument/ facilities issues and timelines.
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
32
OYSTER
Planning
Activity name TOTAL INSTALLED COST OVERALL ESTIMATE
OYSTER REACTOR MODIFICATIONS PROJECT Construction Phase (Preliminary)
FABRICATION EQUIPMENT REACTOR MODIFICATIONS CONSTRUCTION SECURITY CHECK SHUT-DOWN REACTOR START-UP REACTOR CLOSE-OUT OYSTER PROJECT
The original project schedule of the
GENERAL
OYSTER project was based on terms
TIC OVERALL ESTIMATE
and conditions as defined during the
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE CONSTRUCTION SECURITY CHECK
first half of 2013. After notification of the new DSR legislation in June
REACTOR MODIFICATIONS
2013, the original schedule was
‘MILIEUEFFECTRAPPORTAGE’ PREPARATION + REVIEW
adjusted anticipating the availability of the final DSR by the end of 2013. Closing out of the OYSTER project
DUTCH SAFETY REQUIREMENTS DEFINITION PREPARATION CONCEPT LICENCE SAFETY REPORT (SAR) PREPARATION + REVIEW LICENSING PROCEDURE BUILDING PERMIT
was foreseen for the end of 2016.
OBJECTION PROCEDURE
However, in June 2013 the Ministry
BASIC ENGINEERING REACTOR MODIFICATIONS
of Economic Affairs reported that the
FABRICATION EQUIPMENT REACTOR MODIFICATIONS
earliest date of issuing a draft version of the DSR would be in the middle of 2014 and the implementation of the final revision would follow at the end of 2014. During 2014 it was anticipated that the OYSTER project would be closed out in Q1 2018.
DETAILED ENGINEERING REACTOR MODIFICATIONS SHUT-DOWN REACTOR AND DISMANTLING CORE DRAINING REACTOR BASSIN 1ST STAGE INCL. DISMANTLING HANGER ETC. AS-BUILD CHECK CORE AND BASSIN CONFIGURATION DRAINING REACTOR BASSIN 2ND STAGE FOR BEAM TUBES DRY DISMANTLING MIRROR GUIDE SYSTEM BEAM TUBE R2 MODIFICATIONS BEAM TUBE R2 AND REACTOR CORE MODIFICATIONS REACTOR BASSIN INSTALLATION HOTCELL, ISOTOPE - AND LOOPSYSTEM FACILITIES REFILL REACTOR BASSIN 1ST STAGE INCL. INSTALLATION NEW CONTROL RODS AS-BUILD 0-MEASURING AND REFILL REACTOR BASSIN 2ND STAGE INSTALLATION INPILE PART
At the end of 2014 however the ministry reported that the date of
DETAILED ENGINEERING HOTCELL FACILITIES DETAILED ENGINEERING E&I MODIFICATIONS RELATED TO CNS INPILE PART MODIFICATIONS E&I RELATED TO CNS INPILE PART
issuing the DSR had been postponed
CNS UTILITIES CONTROL ROOM
to the middle of 2015. This might
DETAILED ENGINEERING CNS UTILITIES AND CONTROL ROOM
result in a further delay to the project
BUILDING PERMIT INSTALLATION NEW CNS UTILITIES CONTROL ROOM
schedule. Because the final DSR
DETAILED ENGINEERING CNS COOLING SYSTEM AND COMPRESSOR
requirements are not known yet, it
DETAILED ENGINEERING CNS E&I MODIFICATIONS
is difficult to predict a fixed closeout date for the OYSTER project.
Annual OYSTER report 2014 | Reactor Institute Delft
INSTALLATION CNS UTILITIES EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION PIPING AND E&I START-UP / COMMISSIONING
2014 Start
Finish
Q1
Q2
Q3
2015 Q4
Q1
Q2
31/May/15 31/Dec/17 31/Dec/15 1/Apr/17 1/Jan/18 31/Mar/18
1/Apr/14
31/May/15
1/Apr/14
31/May/15
1/Apr/15
31/Dec/15
1/Jun/14
30/Sep/15
1/Jan/13
31/Dec/14
1/Jan/15
30/Jun/16
1/Jan/15
30/Jun/16
1/Jul/16
31/Jan/17
1/Jan/17
31/Jan/17
1/Jan/17
31/Mar/17
1/Apr/14
31/Mar/15
1/Jan/15
31/Dec/15
1/Jan/16
31/Dec/17
1/Apr/17
31/Dec/17 1/Jan/15
30/Jun/15
1/Jan/15
30/Jun/15
1/Jul/15
31/Mar/16
1/Jan/15
31/Dec/15
1/Jan/17
31/Jan/17
1/Apr/17
30/Sep/17
1/Jan/15
30/Jun/15
1/Jul/17
31/Dec/17
1/Jul/15
31/Dec/15
1/Oct/17
31/Dec/17
1/Jan/18
31/Mar/18
Date 1 Sept 2014
1 Dec 2014
31 Jan 2015
Revision
Rev. 14
Rev. 15
Rev. 13
Q3
2016 Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
2017 Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
2018 Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4