Small Effects and Neutron Flux

Abstract

The conversion of modern research reactor facilities or designs with high flux-to-power ratios (small cores) from high-enriched uranium (93%, which is weapons grade) to low-enriched uranium (less than 20% ²³⁵U) leads to a flux loss of up to 70% [l, 2]. This paper shows that the loss of flux is equivalent to a loss of financial investments and scientific output of the same magnitude.