Page 82 - Neutrons for Sciences and Society
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Neutrons for Science
instruments, which is quite a powerful argument. In addition the maximum in the flux of thermal neutrons is a little further from the core, which allows space for a greater number of experimental beam tubes to see this zone. Evidence gathered in current times suggests that the idea of a massive throughput of water at high pressure through a fuel element immersed in a reflector tank of heavy water was rather risky (what would assure the absolute seal between the two media ?); this was the prime motivation for the choice of heavy water as coolant.
While the solution with heavy water coolant was thus better, it led to an increase in the cost of the reactor, principally due to the greater volume of heavy water needed, estimated at the time as FF 20M65 (about 10% of the total cost).
The budget for the Institut was estimated (meeting January 12, 1967) at FF 228M divided as follows:
Reactor with light water cooling
FF 102M
Site development
17.5
Reactor Building
10
Equipment
48.5
CEA provisions
20
Personnel (40 staff during 4 years)
10
Contingencies
20
Additional costs for heavy water coolant
20
65 Then the Franc was roughly worth that of the Euro today. 2018 addition: by January 2018 the ratio was rough- ly €1.3 for FF 1..
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