OPAL: commissioning a new research reactor

Abstract

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