Marcum Research Group

The Transient Reactor Test Loop facility is designed to perform operational and benchmarking experiments that investigate the properties of materials during transient power conditions. The primary objective of this facility is the collection of and benchmarking against new, NQA-1 compliant experimental thermal hydraulic data of a representative TREAT Facility water flow loop. The outcome of the initial test matrix will yield a documented water flow loop design and demonstration that is representative of a prototypic configuration for the TREAT Facility to provide operational information and benchmarking data; and a fully benchmarked thermal hydraulic model of the water flow loop that may be utilized for future TREAT Facility water flow loop safety analyses.

The TRTL facility is a first-of-its-kind experimental apparatus that operates within the same parameter space as the TREAT facility with regard to system pressure, mass flow, temperature, and power capabilities, resulting in the performance of like-for-like experiments without the radiation effects. A custom-built heater rod (300 mm in length, 9.525 mm OD) is designed to deliver ~500 kW of power to the system on an order-of-milliseconds timeframe. Flexible design of the controls system package allows for variable pulse length and maximum power inputs, providing for a wide range of tests to be performed.

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TRTL Facility Contacts

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Facility Manager

Trevor Kent Howard Assistant Professor Senior Research Faculty School of Nuclear Science and Engineering Oregon State University  Corvallis, OR 97331 Office: Trevor.Howard@oregonstate.edu

Principle Investigator

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