International Workshop On “Research Reactor Utilization” Project

The International FNCA Workshop (Forum of Nuclear Cooperation in Asia) on “Research Reactor Utilization” Project has completed its work in the National Nuclear Center of RK in Kurchatov. During the working week, experts from 10 countries exchanged experience in the use of nuclear technologies in various sectors of the national economy of FNCA member countries, visited research complex RRC “Baikal-1”.

The choice of Kazakhstan for holding a seminar on this theme is not accidental. There are three research reactors in our country. The area of application is extremely broad:

- Conduction of fundamental nuclear physics and material science research and in-pile reactor tests;

- Production of radioisotopes and ampoule gamma-sources for medicine and industry,

- Conduction of large-scale experimental research within the cooperation with scientific organizations of Japan, Russia, France and other countries in the area of safety of nuclear facilities that aimed at developing of measures to mitigate the consequences of severe accidents of NPP power reactors;

- Performance of silicon nuclear transmutation doping technology, neutron activation analysis and other operations.

As part of the development and implementation of practical measures to reduce the use of nuclear materials and technologies in the civil sector, the operations on fuel enrichment reduction in Kazakhstani research reactors are ongoing. Within the close cooperation of Kazakhstan, Russia and USA and under the auspices of IAEA, WWR-K reactor of the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Almaty was converted for the low-enriched fuel. Supported by the US DOE and the Argonne National Laboratory, the work is continuing to implement the project on fuel enrichment reduction in IVG.1M and IGR research reactors of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

FNCA workshop participants noted that theme “Research Reactor Utilization” is a priority both for Kazakhstan and for the whole world. The utilization of research reactors in many sectors of the economy continues to meet up-to-date challenges, ensuring a high quality of everyday life and remaining safe for the environment.