Marcum Research Group

The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) located at the Id[Naval Reactor Test Loop]aho National Laboratory (INL) contains six pressurized water loops used for in-pile testing. Each loop contains its own in-pile tube, pump pressurizer, purification and heat exchanger for controlling pressure temperature and chemistry conditions. For four of the loops, pumps have been running over more than 45 years exceeding by far their original service and design life. To ensure continuity in the research program conducted at the ATR, the need to replace the pumps of the existing loop has been anticipated.  In this context, the NRTL facility has been designed and built at Oregon State University. Its objectives are to test the reliability of the new designed pumps by operating them in series in a wide range of conditions and extensively monitoring all parameters associated with their operation (bearing and motor temperature, power input, vibration, head….). The NRTL facility has been operated since fall 2017 and is designed for pressure up to 2500 psi at 650F.

Guillaume Mignot Assistant Professor Senior Research Faculty School of Nuclear Science and Engineering Oregon State University  Corvallis, OR 97331 Office: 541-737-3579 Guillaume.Mignot@oregonstate.edu

Wade Marcum Senior Associate Dean and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs Henry W. and Janice J. Schuette Professor in Nuclear Science and Engineering School of Nuclear Science and Engineering Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331 Office: 541-737-3018 Wade.Marcum@oregonstate.edu