Neutron characterization of the TAPIRO fast neutron source reactor after the restoring of the nominal configuration

This paper describes the methodology that will be followed during the new characterization campaign of the TAPIRO (TAratura PIla Rapida a Potenza zerO - Fast Pile Calibration at 0 Power), the fast neutron source research reactor located at ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) C.R CASACCIA. Details are provided concerning detectors (foils, fission chambers…) and experimental channels selected for the analysis. TAPIRO, is characterized by a neutron spectrum at the core center almost equal to the fission one, thanks to its highly enriched 235U core. The facility is considered as a standard neutronic reference field for detectors calibration and neutron dosimetry purposes. In view of the coming AOSTA (Activation of Osmose Samples in TApiro) campaign, conceived in the frame of the NEA EGIEMAM-II (Expert Group on Improvement of Integral Experiments Data for Minor Actinide Management) working group on Minor Actinides (MAs), a full re-characterization of the core was decided. In this context, a joint collaboration between ENEA and CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) was established with the aim to perform the AOSTA program. The restoring of the nominal configuration ended in July 2019 and a new neutronic characterization of the TAPIRO reactor is currently being performed, starting from December 2019. This paper describes the methodology that will be followed during this new characterization campaign. Details are provided concerning detectors (foils, fission chambers…) and experimental channels selected for the analysis.