THE McCLELLAN NUCLEAR RESEARCH CENTER, RESEARCH AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Michael Lerche (University of California, Davis)

The McClellan Nuclear Research Center (MNRC) is a facility centered around a 2 MW TRIGA research reactor. A wide range of research studies is underway including the imaging of fuel cells, tomography of geological minerals, neutron activation analysis of biological samples and plant seed irradiation. Industrial applications include radiography of precision aerospace castings and irradiation of electronics.

The reactor became operational in 1990 making it one the newest research reactors in the US. This facility was built by the US Air Force for the nondestructive inspection of aircraft structures for early warning signs of corrosion.

The University of California, Davis took ownership of the reactor in 2000, following the closure of the McClellan Air Force Base. Since that time, UCD has transformed the MNRC from an inspection facility for military aircraft into a center for university research. As such, the Center is one of the three largest university research reactors in the nation.

The MNRC has four bays to perform neutron imaging. Bays 1 and 2 are large enclosures that can accommodate large samples using robotic manipulators. The Center has the largest radiography capability in the world and can image samples as large as 10.00 m long, 3.65 m high, and weighing up to 2,270 kg. Bays 3 and 4 are laboratory-size rooms where smaller samples can be inspected.

The MNRC has multiple facilities to perform neutron irradiation. These include in-core areas, out-of-core areas and one of the bays allowing a wide variety of sample shapes and sizes. These facilities enable the MNRC to also provide Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and Radiation Hardness Testing.

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Last modified 08-February-2011 by website owner: NCNR (attn: )