LaBour Pump has delivered to the US Department of Energy Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) project a Taber brand pump that will be installed in a spallation neutron bombardment system. The SNS is an accelerator-based neutron source being built in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The world’s most powerful-pulsed neutron beams will be produced in the SNS. These beams are then used for scientific research and use in industrial developments. Neutron scattering science has been to improve items such as electronic devices, shatterproof windshields, satellite-based weather forecasts and credit cards. Neutron research also helps researchers improve materials used in high-temperature superconductors, powerful lightweight magnets, aluminium bridge decks, and stronger, lighter plastic products. The Taber pump (Model 9080-50) is a cantilever design, with 316 stainless steel wetted components, and contains a 15-inch open impeller. Leakage is prevented using a gas seal. The application requires that liquid mercury be pumped around a cooling loop, which surrounds the bombardment system. The pump operates at 200 degrees F at 430 GPM and at 23 ft. head. The application requires the Taber pump to be bombarded with nuclear radiation; thus the pump must maintain 100% reliability, be fail-safe and maintenance-free. Operation of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) project will begin full-scale operation in 2006.