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Status and future plans on research reactors and irradiation technology in Argentina

Abstract:

[en] The National Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina (CNEA) was founded on May 31st, 1950. Since January 17th, 1958 when our first research reactor RA-1 achieved for first time criticality, CNEA built and operated several research reactors (RA-0, RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RA-4, RA-6 and RA-8). Recent features related to them are the conversion of the RA-6 reactor core from HEU to LEU, the conversion from HEU to LEU of RA-3's target irradiation for fission radioisotope production and the qualification program of high and very high fuels through irradiations in RA-3 core. Collaboration between CNEA and NNSA-DoE enhanced the RA-6 core conversion. The RA-3 reactor core was converted from HEU to LEU in 1989 and upgraded from 5 to 10 MW in 2001, to enhance the radioisotope production and the fuel assembly testing program for high and very high density LEU fuels. Due to final restrictions on HEU supply in 2001, CNEA turned from HEU into LEU its target fabrication, satisfying most stringent pharmacopeia quality requirements. CNEA is involved with R and D and fabrication of MTR fuels since more than 40 years, providing domestic research reactors and overseas clients. A comprehensive qualification plan for U 3 Si 2 compound up to 4.8 g/cc based on US-NRC NUREG-1313 technology specifications and criteria and through CNEA's technical capabilities (basic research laboratories, irradiation in the core of RA-3 reactor and hot cells for PIE analysis) successfully finished in 2003.(author)