Browsing by Author "Irwin, T"

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    COGEMA-ANSTO management of the acceptance process of HIFAR spent fuel
    (International Group On Research Reactors, 2002-03-24) Thomasson, J; Irwin, T
    The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has operated the 10 MW DIDO class High Flux Materials Test Reactor (HIFAR) since 1958. Refuelling the reactor produces about 38 spent fuel elements each year. In 1999, ANSTO signed a contract with COGEMA for the management of all non-US origin spent fuel, and two shipments to La Hague have been completed to date. Prior to a fuel shipment, ANSTO provides COGEMA with the spent fuel characteristics. Together with ANSTO, COGEMA has developed criteria for acceptance of HIFAR spent fuel at La Hague. These include visual inspections, testing of fuel that may be unsound, and a final check of a gas sample drawn from a filled transport cask. © 2003 The Authors
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    The OPAL Reactor
    (International Group On Research Reactors, 2007-03-11) Miller, R; Irwin, T; Ordoñez, JP
    Not available
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    The OPAL Reactor
    (European Nuclear Society, 2007-03-11) Miller, R; Irwin, T; Ordoñez, JP
    The OPAL reactor went critical for the first time on 12 August 2006 and achieved full power for the first time on 3 November 2006. This has been a successful project characterised by extensive interaction with the project’s stakeholders during project definition and the use of a performance-based turnkey contract which gave the contractor the maximum opportunity to optimise the design to achieve performance and cost effectiveness. The contactor, INVAP SE, provided significant in-house resources as well as project managing an international team of suppliers and sub-contractor deliver the project’s objectives. A key contributor to the project’s successful outcomes has been the development and maintenance of an excellent working relationship between the ANSTO and INVAP project teams. Commissioning was undertaken in accordance with the IAEA recommended stages. The main results of hot commissioning are reviewed and the problems encountered examined. Operational experience since hot commissioning is also reviewed.
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    OPAL: commissioning a new research reactor
    (International Atomic Energy Agency, 2007-11-08) Irwin, T; De Lorenzo, N
    OPAL is a new 20MW multipurpose research reactor owned by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and located at Lucas Heights near Sydney, Australia. Construction commenced in 2002 and commissioning was completed in 2007. Commissioning a new research reactor is not a common event worldwide and the lessons learnt during the commissioning of OPAL may be of benefit to other reactor operators. Safety is of primary importance and ANSTO and the principal contractor (INVAP) worked closely together to establish a good safety culture enabling an excellent safety record to be maintained throughout commissioning. © The Authors