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Conversion of Miniature Neutron Source Research Reactors (MNSR) to Low Enriched Uranium (LEU)
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
T12020CRP
1378Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
29 January 2013Description
The Chinese-built Miniature Neutron Source (MNSR, 27 kW) reactors (four in China, five abroad) are low-power, neutron source research reactors used primarily for neutron activation analysis, education, and training. These reactors have cores consisting of less than 1 kilogram of HEU, enriched to 90% or greater, U-235.
Since 1978, various national and international activities have been underway to convert research and test reactors from the use of HEU to LEU fuel. These activities support the objective of reducing and eventually eliminating the civil use of HEU. Achieving the conversion of all MNSR reactors would be a helpful step forward in this international effort to reduce and eventually eliminate the civil use of HEU.
The China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) has designed a new MNSR using LEU to operate in hospitals. It has also has been studying conversion of the existing MNSR cores to LEU. China has also designed and built, with commissioning expected in 2006, a large 60MW research reactor that will use LEU fuel.
At a Technical Meeting at IAEA Headquarters in May 2005, all the participating MNSR operators indicated their desire to convert to LEU fuel. It was acknowledged that to successfully carry out MNSR core conversions, a number of preparatory steps, including additional analysis and various calculations have to be made, in order to confirm the feasibility of conversion. This CRP will involve the CIAE, as designer of the MNSR reactors, and institutions in five other countries which currently operate MNSRs, with the goal of producing all the necessary technical preparations and documentation to provide guidelines for the successful conversion of the MNSRs to LEU.
Objectives
The overall objective is to assist institutions in Member States with MNSR reactors with HEU cores to convert to LEU fuel with minimal reduction of the utilization capacity of the reactors in concert with international non-proliferation initiatives to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of HEU in civil commerce.
Specific objectives
To carry out calculations and conduct studies necessary to plan and implement MNSR conversion to LEU.
To disseminate information on the various technical and other steps necessary to safely convert MNSR reactors to LEU fuel.
To establish a common approach for the conversion to LEU of the existing MNSR reactors through a comparative analysis of the feasibility of conversion.
To provide the basis for individual MNSR reactors to safely convert to qualified LEU fuel.
Impact
Through the CRP:
a) A solid common approach for conversion to LEU of the existing MNSR reactors through a comparative analysis of the feasibility of conversion has been developed;
b) The basis for individual MNSR reactors safe conversion to qualified LEU fuels has been made available;
c) Necessary calculations have been performed;
d) Studies necessary to plan and implement conversion have been conducted; and
e) Relevant information regarding the various technical and other steps necessary for safe conversion has been disseminated.
The most relevant impact of the CRP is that, as a direct result of CRP's outputs, conversion from HEU to LEU of MNSR reactors in China and Ghana are underway at the time of writing. Conversion of MNSRs to LEU in other countries will follow in the near future.
Relevance
The CRP has to be appreciated as a relevant and successful undertaking on both technical and no-proliferation aspects. Institutions in Member States with HEU fuelled MNSR reactors have been provided with all the safety relevant analyses and a suitable fuel design to convert to LEU fuel with minimal reduction to the utilization capacity of the reactors. In addition, the CRP has made an outstanding contribution to the international non-proliferation initiatives to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of HEU in civil commerce.