Physical specifications and measurements of the MIT Graphite Exponential Pile

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Graphite Exponential Pile (MGEP) presents a unique set of research and pedagogical opportunities mostly unavailable at other institutions that offer degrees in nuclear sciences and engineering. In early reactor physics classes, many students solve simplified transport and diffusion equations on cubic geometries, similar to that of the MGEP. Having a physical reactor to which these analytical solutions can be easily compared can highlight where the assumptions of the equations break down. In addition, introducing Monte-Carlo simulation allows for a more rigorous investigation into the relationship and agreement/disagreement between analytical, stochastic, and experimental analyses. This work has three primary goals. Firstly, to compile, interpret, and condense all historical accounts of the construction of the pile, including recent physical measurements.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Costa, Nicholas A.,S.M.Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kord Smith.

• Nuclear Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses may be protected by copyright. Please reuse MIT thesis content according to the MIT Libraries Permissions Policy, which is available through the URL provided.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/127302

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/127302