Development of a method and equipment for measuring the neutron flux from a research reactor

In this paper, a new method for measuring the neutron flux using proportional counters SNM-18 filled with 3Ne is studied. When developing equipment automated measurement of research reactor VVR-K, determining optimization criteria are power consumption, weight and dimensions. For purpose, devices were used equivalent soil moisture snow water by component cosmic rays. A number experimental studies have been carried out to determine optimal levels supply voltages, design device operation at VVR-K has changed. The main elements detector block hydrogen-containing moderator; tube thermal counter; an amplifier microcontroller analyzing signal from detector; high-voltage transmitter. Special software also developed simultaneous control detectors. Test measurements performed plant INP Pu-Be source, intensity 1.8 *106 n/s. To reduce safety personnel load on detector, source was placed inside boron polyethylene collimator. Key words: flux, reactor, counter SNM-18.