RMC SLOWPOKE-2 Reactor - Core Reload and Commissioning Tests

Abstract

The Safe LOW-POwer Kritical Experiment (SLOWPOKE) reactor at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) has been used for educational and research purposes since 1985. With the core nearing its end of life in 2019, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and RMC initiated a project to refuel the reactor. This paper describes the approach-to-critical process applied during assembly of the new core, and summarizes the tests then conducted to recommission the reactor. These activities were successfully completed in September, 2021. Other components of the project are presented in companion papers, including the project overview, hazard identification studies, and fuel element fabrication.