New research reactor for Australia
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Date
1992-05-18
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Technicatome
Abstract
HIFAR, Australia's major research reactor, was commissioned in 1958 to test materials for an envisaged indigenous nuclear power industry. HIFAR is a Dido type reactor which is operated at 10 MW. With the decision in the early 1970's not to proceed to nuclear power, HIFAR was adapted to other uses and has served Australia well as a base for national nuclear competence; as a national facility for neutron scattering/beam research; as a source of radioisotopes for medical diagnosis and treatment; and as a source of export revenue from the neutron transmutation doping of silicon for the semiconductor industry. However, all of HIFAR's capabilities are becoming less than optimum by world and regional standards. Neutron beam facilities have been overtaken on the world scene by research reactors with increased neutron fluxes, cold sources, and improved beams and neutron guides. Radioisotope production capabilities, while adequate to meet Australia's needs, cannot be easily expanded to tap the growing world market in radiopharmaceuticals. Similarly, neutron transmutation doped silicon production, and export income from it, is limited at a time when the world market for this material is expanding. ANSTO has therefore embarked on a program to replace HIFAR with a new multi-purpose national facility for nuclear research and technology in the form of a reactor: a) for neutron beam research, - with a peak thermal flux of the order of three times higher than that from HIFAR, - with a cold neutron source, guides and beam hall, b) that has radioisotope production facilities that are as good as, or better than, those in HIFAR, c) that maximizes the potential for commercial irradiations to offset facility operating costs, d) that maximizes flexibility to accommodate variations in user requirements during the life of the facility. ANSTO's case for the new research reactor received significant support earlier this month with the tabling in Parliament of a report by the Australian Science and Technology Council on recommended priorities for government expenditure on major national research facilities over the next ten years. A new research reactor was one of seven proposals recommended by the Council for priority during that period. As basis for ANSTO's normal activities is nuclear science and technology rather than reactor development, it will be necessary to purchase much of the nuclear specific technology and hardware with the emphasis being on modern but proven technology. In January 1992 ANSTO commenced a two year preliminary engineering and financial study that will define the user requirements, assess the availability of reactor designs compatible with those requirements, complete preliminary design and provide a detailed costing and schedule for the provision of the facility. The report of this study will form the basis of a submission to Government for funding for detailed design and construction. Initial operation of the reactor is scheduled for 2003. The overall project schedule is shown.
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Keywords
Australia, HIFAR Reactor, Isotope production, Licensing procedures, Neutron diffraction, Planning, ANSTO, Neutron beams
Citation
Miller, R. (1992). New research reactor for Australia. Paper presented to IGORR 2, 2nd Meeting of the International Group on Research Reactors, Saclay, France, 18-19 May 1992. Retrieved from: https://www.igorr.com/Documents/1992-SACLAY/IGORR-1992.pdf