11-3

8961

Research Reactors in Africa

www.iaea.org

International Atomic Energy AgencyVienna International Centre, PO Box 100

1400 Vienna, AustriaTelephone: (+43-1) 2600-0

Fax: (+43-1) 2600-7Email: Official.Mail@iaea.org

Atoms for Peace

Atoms for Peace

Research Reactors in Africa

1

Contents

Introduction ResearchReactorsinAfrica 2

Algeria ES-SALAM 4

Algeria NUR 6

DemocraticRepublicoftheCongo TRICO-II 8

Egypt ETRR-1 10

Egypt ETRR-2 12

Ghana GHARR-1 14

Libya IRT-1 16

Morocco MA-R1 18

Nigeria NIRR-1 20

SouthAfrica SAFARI-1 22

2

In2009,Africapassedamilestoneoffiftyyearsofinvolvementwithnucleartechnology,datingfromthe initial criticality of the Democratic Republicof the Congo’s TRICO I research reactor (RR)at theUniversityofKinshasa.EgyptandSouthAfrica soon followed, signalling a continentalcommitmenttoprovidingresearchers,scientists,studentsandindustriesallacrossAfricaaccessto modern nuclear analytical techniques andcapabilities.TwelveRRshavebeenbuiltineightcountries throughout thecontinent,allofwhichareMemberStates.

Africa’s RRs are a vital component of theevolving role nuclear science and technologyplaysinsociety.Thesereactorshavesignificantlycontributedtothescientificprogressmadeinawealthoffields,appealingtoabroadportionofthe scientific community and the public. Asidefromconductingresearchintonucleardataand

improvingourknowledgeofthesubatomicworld,RRsprovidetheneutronsusedtoprobematerialstructures forenhancedconstructionpractices,toinsertatomicimpuritiesforthemanufacturingof semiconductors, create radioisotopes formedical and industrial diagnostics as wellas life-saving cancer treatments, examineenvironmentalsamplesfortrackingpollution,andassist farmers incropselectionandplacement.Moreover, they are typically seen as the firststep towards inaugurating a national nuclearpower programme, and their work is essentialtotheentirelifetimeofapowerreactorthroughtrainingofscientistsandengineersandprovidinganalytical tools for material damage studies,radiation shielding and waste containment. Allof these services offered by RRs lead to saferand more efficient operation and maintenanceproceduresaswellasimprovedsafetycultureandsecurity.Thoughtheyretainmuchpotential,RRs

Country Facility Name Type Thermal Power

(kW) Neutron Flux

(s-1 cm-2)Algeria Nur Pool 1000 5.0×1013

Algeria Es-Salam Heavy water 15 000 2.1×1014

*Democratic Rep. of the Congo *TRICO II TRIGA Mark II 1000 3.0×1013

Egypt ETRR-1 Tank WWR 2000 3.6×1013

Egypt ETRR-2 Pool 22 000 2.8×1014

Ghana GHARR-1 MNSR 30 1.2×1012

Libya IRT-1 Pool, IRT 10 000 2.0×1014

Morocco MA-R1 TRIGA Mark II 2000 4.4×1013

Nigeria NIRR-1 MNSR 30 1.2×1012

South Africa SAFARI-1 Tank in pool 20 000 2.8×1014

* At present on extended shutdown status.

Table1.TYPESOFRESEARCHREACTORSINAFRICA

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havealreadyproventheirabilitytointegrateandcomplywiththeneedsofvariousgroupswithinthe commercial, research and development,energyandservicesectors.

Today, there are ten operating RRs across theAfrican continent. These reactors cover a widepowerrange,startingwith30kWupto22MW.Several common designs are represented,including the General Atomics Training,Research, Isotopes (TRIGA) model and theMiniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR), butthere are other unique designs represented aswell, as shown in Table 1. Whereas Morocco’snewMA-R1reactorcandemonstratethemultipleuses of neutron activation analysis (NAA) andAlgeria’s facilities provide expertise in neutronstudies of various materials, the versatility ofSouthAfrica’sSAFARI-1,asoneofthefivemainproducers of the radioisotope molybdenum-99(Mo-99) and a leader in neutron transmutationdopingofsilicon,andthespecialitiesofNigeria’sCentre for Energy Research and Training aswell as Ghana’s National Nuclear ResearchInstitute comprise comprehensive units forresearch, engineering and academic groups.Taken together,cooperationamong thenuclearresearch facilities of Africa allows for theeffective optimization of their capabilities whileharmonizing research, operation and safetypractices.Suchprogrammeshavethepotentialto facilitate commercially viable radioisotopeproduction,moreaccurateandbroaderresearchendeavours, and more enriching and valuabletraining curricula. Efforts in Africa to integratehigher education in science can be seen withthe increasingnumberofMScandPhD thesesthathavebeencompletedatleastinpartthroughresearchofferedbythesereactors.

With their geographical locations andcapabilities, Africa’s RRs are well positioned tofurther socioeconomic development. Increasesinthestandardof livingofagivenareatendtohave a direct correlation with increased energydemands. Increasingly, countries seek nuclear

powerprogrammesasanalternativetotheusageoffossilfuelsandanarrowandvulnerableenergysupply portfolio. South Africa is currently thesoleAfricanStatewithanuclearpowerstation,and ithas intentions forgreatercapacity in thefuture.SomeotherMemberStateswithRRs,e.g.Algeria,Egypt,Ghana,Morocco,andNigeria,areseeking to use their experience as a steppingstoneforafuturenuclearpowerprogrammefortheirpeopleinordertotakeadvantageofAfrica’svast uranium resources. Additionally, StateswithoutRRssuchasSudanandTunisiaarealsointerested in cultivating a nuclear infrastructurecentred on their ongoing RR projects as thefirststep tocommercialnuclearpower, therebycreatingaregionaland,potentially,acontinent-widemarketforRRproductsandservices.

Thisbrochureprovidesself-descriptionsofeachofAfrica’stenRRs,highlightingservicesthatcanbenefit a wide range of stakeholders, includinguniversities,hospitals, research institutes,Stateministries, nuclear power plant staff, miningindustries, and agricultural and environmentalorganizations. These reactors use modernanalytical techniques in support of research,the manufacture of products for commercialapplicationsandthetrainingoffutureoperatorsandresearchers.Moreover,theircomplementaryskills and facilities form a great capacity forcooperative efforts in each mission area, yettheir individual experience and capabilitiesattest to apotential for tailored solutionswhennuclear technology appears beneficial. Contactinformationforeachfacility isgiven inorderforthereadertogainfurtheranddirectinformationonthemultipleservicesavailableatthecentres.ThisbrochureprovidesonlyasnapshotastheseRRshavemuchmoretooffertheircountriesandregions than can be adequately covered. Bycreating facilitieswhere thebrightest engineersand scientists can interact with commercial,industrial and governmental stakeholders,nuclearscienceandtechnologywillprovidethegreatestbenefittosocietyatlarge.

4

Algeria

ES-SALAM

1. Technical Characteristics TheEs-Salam(“peace”inArabic)reactorisa15MWmultipurposeheavy water research reactor. It is located in Birine City which issituated200km to thesouthofAlgiers, theAlgeriancapital. It isownedby theCommissariatà l’EnergieAtomique (COMENA)andoperatedbytheCentredeRechercheNucléairedeBirine(CRNB).Itwascommissionedin1992andisusedasanexperimentalandtrainingtoolinthefieldofnucleartechniquesandreactorphysics.Itprovidesahighqualitythermalneutronfluxandisequippedwithseveralirradiationpositions.

Technical features:• Tanktyperesearchreactorof15MWpower.• Cooledandmoderatedbyheavywaterandusesgraphiteasa

reflector.• Sixhorizontalbeamportsincludingathermalcolumnand

45verticalirradiationpositions.• Maximumneutronthermalfluxis2x1014cm–2s–1.• Operatescontinuouslythethreefirstweeksofthemonthwith

thelastremainingweekreservedformaintenance.

2. Products and Services The Es-Salam research reactor is dedicated to the production ofradioisotopes, scientific research, material testing and trainingof technical and scientific personnel. The research and analyticallaboratories associated with the reactor have qualified personneland state-of-the-art equipment capable of performing multipleconcurrentprojects.

Irradiation• Pneumaticsystemforneutronactivationanalysisanddelayed

neutroncounting.• Neutronradiographyfacility(staticanddynamic)forprocessing

andnon-destructivetestingofmaterials.

The Es-Salam research reactor building

Research Reactors in Africa

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• NAAlaboratoriesfortraceelementsdeterminationbythedirectcomparisonandk0methodologies.

Research and development• Neutrondiffractionfacilityequippedwithaclosedcyclecoolant

systemusingaheliumliquefierforinvestigatingmaterialproperties.

• Thermalhydraulicloops:highpressure/hightemperatureandlowpressure/lowtemperature.

• Hotcellsfordestructiveandnon-destructivetestsofirradiatedmaterials.

• Corephysicsandthermalhydrauliccalculations.• Instrumentationandcontroldesign.• Numericalmodellingandsimulation.• Safetystudies.• Nucleardataanalysis.• Optimizationofnucleartechniques.

Education and training• Reactoroperation.• Reactorphysicsandnucleartechnology.• Nuclearinstrumentationandcontrol.• Nuclearsafetyandradiationprotection.

Neutronactivationanalysis(NAA)continuestobeoneofthemostutilized capabilities of the reactor. The laboratories dedicated toNAAhaveanalysedbothshort,viaapneumaticsystem,andlonglivedradionuclidesusingtraditionalirradiationlocations.

3. Future Capabilities In order to expand the analytical capability the facility can offer,severalnewprojectsareindevelopment.Analyticalenhancementsanddevelopmentsforthefutureinclude:• Upgradetheneutrondiffractionfacilityinordertostudyresidual

strainforacademicandindustrialapplications.• Implementpromptgammaneutronactivationanalysis(PGNAA)

foranalysisofgeologicalandatmosphericsamples.• Produceradioisotopesformedicalandindustrialapplications.

4. Contact Information CentredeRechercheNucléairedeBirineBP180AinOusseraW.Djelfa17200,Algeria

RR Manager: Mr K. AbdelmoumenEmail:central@comena-dz.orgTel:+21327872921Fax:+21327874280

Neutron diffraction facility

Delayed neutron laboratory

Neutron radiography facility

Four point probe

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Algeria

NUR

1. Technical Characteristics TheNURreactor(acronymofNuclearUraniumReactor,alsoArabicfor “light”) is an open pool 1 MW research and training reactor.CommissionedinMarch1989,itislocatednearAlgiers,thecapitalofAlgeria.It ismainlyusedfor trainingofoperatorsandnuclearengineeringstudents and in the development and utilization of nuclearanalyticaltechniquesandapplicationsthatsupportsocioeconomicdevelopment.Theprimarymissionsofthereactorare:• Trainingofoperatorsanduniversitystudents.• Studiesandexperimentsinphysicsandreactortechnology.• Developmentandutilizationofnucleartechniques.• Neutronactivationanalysis.• Neutronreflectometry.• Neutronradiography.• Smallangleneutronscattering(SANS).• Productionofradioisotopesandradiopharmaceuticals(at

laboratoryscale).

Technical features:• Pooltype,1MWresearchreactor.• FuelledwithMTRplate-typefuelenrichedto19.75%.• Cooledandmoderatedbylightwater.• Graphitereflector.• Neutronfluxof1013cm–2s–1.• Fourradialandonetangentialbeamtubes.• Twoverticalirradiationpositions.• Twofastpneumatictransportsystems.• Onehotcellandonetransfercell.

2. Products and Services Variousresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesinthefieldofnuclearengineering are conducted by scientists and technical staff toenhancetheutilizationofthefacility.TheNURreactorisavaluabletoolatboththenationalandregionallevel.Itcanbeusedtoenablethe implementation of research and development programmesandtraininginthefieldsofnuclearreactoroperationsandnuclear

NUR facility

Research Reactors in Africa

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engineeringwhichwill contributeeffectively to the introductionofa national nuclear power programme in Algeria. These activitiesincludeapplicationsof:

Education and training • Nuclearengineering.• Reactorphysicsandoperation.

Research and development• Corephysicsandthermalhydrauliccalculations.• Instrumentationandcontroldesign.• Numericalmodellingandsimulation.• Safetystudies.• Nucleardataanalysis.• Nucleartechniqueoptimization.• Materialscience.

Irradiation• Neutronactivationanalysis.• Radioisotopeproduction(atlaboratoryscale).• Qualitycontrolofradiopharmaceuticals.• Technetiumkits.• Invivoandinvitroradiopharmaceuticals.• Monoclonalantibodies.• Neutronbeamapplications(SANS,reflectometry,neutron

radiography,etc.).

3. Future Capabilities Tooptimizethereactor’suseandavailabilityofneutrontechniquesandapplications,severalprojectsareongoingorplanned,mainly:

• StudiesontheuseofneutronguidestoimprovethesignaltonoiseratioaroundthereflectometerandSANSspectrometers.

• Increasedutilizationoffunctionalandprovennucleartechniques,e.g.NAA,neutronradiography.

• Finalizationofprojects(e.g.Tc-99kits,productionofI-131andSm-153,invitrokits)andimplementationofproceduresforgoodmanufacturingpractices,evaluationandvalidation(QA/QC)thatwillenableroutineproduction.

4. Contact InformationNuclearResearchCenterofDrariaNURReactorDivisionSebala/DrariaBP29Algiers16003,Algeria

RR Manager: Mr M. AbdelhalimEmail:central@comena-dz.orgTel:+21321310358Fax:+21321310380

Reactor block

Reactor core

Universal cell

Technetium kits

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TRICO-II

Democratic Republic of the Congo

1. Technical Characteristics TheTRICO-II research reactor is located inKinshasa, thecapitalof theDemocraticRepublicof theCongo,onthewesternborderof the country. TRICO-II is a TRIGA Mark II type reactor ownedby the Commissariat Général à l’Energie Atomique (CGEA) andoperatedbytheCentreRégionald’EtudesNucléairesdeKinshasa(CREN K). Its predecessor, TRICO-I, a 50 kW reactor, was fullyoperational at this site from 6 June 1959 to 29 June 1970. Thisreactorwasshutdownin1970anddismantledbuthasnotyetbeendecommissioned.

On 24 March 1972, TRICO-II achieved its initial criticality as thesecondandmorepowerfulCongoleseRR.ItwasconstructedunderGeneralAtomicsspecificationsandsupervisionwiththeassistanceofexpertsfromtheCentrefor theStudyofNuclearEnergy (SCK/CEN) in Mol, Belgium, during 1970 and 1971. Since November2004,TRICO-IIhasbeeninanextendedshutdowncondition.

Technical features: • Pooltype,1MWTRIGAresearchreactor.• Nominaltransientpeakpowerof1600MWinpulsemode.• TRIGAstandard,stainlesssteelcladfuelenrichedto20%.• Cooledandmoderatedwithdemineralizedlightwater.• Primaryandsecondaryforcedwatercoolingsystems.• Graphitereflector.• Athermalcolumnwithamaximumfluxof1011cm–2s–1anda

centralexperimentaltubewithafluxof1014cm–2s–1.• Ra-Beneutronsource.• Fiveneutronfluxmeasurementchannelswithvariousdetectors.• Threeaxialandonetangentialneutronbeamtubes.

2. Products and Services The reactor TRICO-II is a thermal neutron source for scientificresearch, training, radioisotope production and materialcharacterization. Horizontal neutron extraction beam tubes arededicatedtodiffractionandradiographystudies.

Research and development• Tracerstudies,reactorphysics,reactortankcorrosionrepair.• Nuclearanalyticaltechniques.

General Commission of Atomic Energy

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• Geochemistryandhydrochemistry,particularlyusingrawphosphateoretowardssoilfertilitystudiesandmineralexploitation.

• Preciousmetalrecoveryfromwastesofelectrolyticrefineryplants.

Services and products• Multi-elementalanalysisofenvironmentalandfoodsamples

usingNAAtechniques,specificallyk0andderivedintegratedNAA(INAA).

• Preciousmetalcontentcharacterizationofexportedingotsofcopper,cobalt,zincandotherelements.

• ProductionofradioisotopessuchasP-32,Au-198andTc-99mformedical,industrialandagriculturalapplications.

• Productionofradiotracersforthegoldminingindustry.

Education and training• Traininginreactoroperationandreactorphysics.• Preparationsforanationalnuclearpowerprogramme.• Educationalprojectsandresearchthesesusingnuclearscience

andtechnologyforuniversityandotherinstitutestudents.

Health services• Invivoandvitrodiagnosticsforvariouscancers,nutritionand

infectiousdiseases.• Fertilityresearchinanimalsandhumans.

3. Future Capabilities • RestarttheTRICO-IIresearchreactorfollowingthecurrently

scheduledoutage.• Upgraderadioisotopeproductionunitformedicalandindustrial

applications.• Implementneutronradiographyanddiffractionfacilities.

4. Contact Information CentreRégionald’EtudesNucléairesdeKinshasaCampusdel’UniversitédeKinshasaPOBox868KinshasaXIDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo

RR Manager: D.K. GelemboEmail:dgkombele@yahoo.comTel:+24315166343,+243994052295

Reactor core

Hot cell for RI processing

Measuring room

Diagnostics using a gamma camera

TRICO II reactor

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ETRR-1

Egypt

1. Technical Characteristics Egypt’sfirstreactor,theExperimentalTrainingResearchReactor-1(ETRR-1), achieved its initial criticality in February of 1961,inauguratingthenuclearageinNorthAfrica.ASovietdesignVVRtypelightwaterreactor,itisbasedattheInshasNuclearResearchCentreoutsideofCairoandhasbeenusedfornearlyfivedecadesofnuclearphysicsandmaterialexperiments.Subsequenttodevelopingtheinitialphaseofthecountry’snuclearinfrastructure,thereactorwasshutdowninthe1980sandmodernizedwithassistancefromthe IAEA geared towards its long term operability. This technicalcooperation programme extended throughout the 1990s andenhancedthereactor’salreadyconsiderableexperimentalfacilities.Today, the small reactor’s operation profile ranges from isotopeproduction,nuclearphysics,andchemicalandbiologicalresearchtoextensivematerialtesting.

Technical features:• Tanktype,2MWVVRtrainingreactor.• Fuelledwith10%enricheduranium.• Cooledandmoderatedbylightwater,whichalsoservesasthe

reflector.• Maximumfastfluxof3.6×1013cm–2s–1,maximumthermalflux

of1.5×1013cm–2s–1.• Ninehorizontalbeamchannelswithamaximumfluxof

5×108cm–2s–1.• HorizontalchannelscontainfourFourierdiffractometers,

includingtheCairoFourierDiffractometerFacility(CFDF)installedin1996.

• Eightverticalbeamchannelswithamaximumfluxof8×1012cm–2s–1.

• Verticalchannelssupportradioisotopeproduction.

2. Products and Services Since its upgrade and modernization, ETRR-1 has providedneutronsforexperimentsinmaterialscience,biologicalirradiation,chemical testing, and physics reactions. Particularly in materialinvestigation,theCFDFandFourierreversetimeofflightmethodssupporthighresolutionmeasurementsofdiffractionspectraunder

ETRR-1 facility

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high temperature and pressure conditions for characterizingmaterialbehaviourandtexturalchanges,whichhaveprovedusefulinanumberofindustrialapplications.Furthermore,recentupgradesincludingaspecializedinterfacecardandsoftwarehavedecreasedthe necessary measurement time and neutron economy. ETRR-1has also enabled some radioisotope production and a significantnumberofacademicthesisprojects.

Research and development• Studiesoftexturalchangesfollowingcertainmetallurgical

processes,notablyresidualstressinwelds.• FeasibilitystudiesofPlexiglassasasubstrateforneutron

mirrors.• Irradiationofchemicalandbiologicalsamples.• Studiesofsteadystate,neutron,andreactorphysics.• Researchintosolidandliquidradioactivewastetreatmentand

storageaswellasshielding.

Products and services• ProductionofradioisotopessuchasI-131andP-32.• Neutronscatteringanddiffractionserviceswithanalysis.• Computerizedneutrontomography.

Education and training• ExperimentshavebeenconductedfornumerousMaster’sand

PhDlevelthesesfromEgyptianuniversities.• Internationalcooperationamongstudentsandresearchersfrom

SaudiArabia,Lebanon,KuwaitandSudan.

3. Future Capabilities ThestaffofETRR-1 iscommittedtoprovidingqualityeducationaland research opportunities to the wider Arab and internationalcommunities.However,muchofthefocusforthefuturewillconsistofdevisingabusinessplantomarketourmanyservicesandimprovethereactor’sutilization.ETRR-1staffwill:• Developabusinessplanwithanationalandregionalmarketing

strategyforservicesandradioisotopes.• Upgradesafetyprotocolforoperationalsafetyand

comprehensivemaintenance.• Harmonizefacilitiestotherequirementsofmarkets.• PursuefurthercooperationthroughoutAfrica,theMiddleEast

andSouthernEurope.

4. Contact Information NuclearResearchCentreEgyptianAtomicEnergyAuthority(EAEA)ExperimentalTrainingResearchReactorIAboZabal,Cairo13759,Egypt

Division Head: Mr M. AshoubEmail:nageeb54@yahoo.comTel:+20244620787Fax:+20244620787

Reactor control panel

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ETRR-2

Egypt

Inshas nuclear complex

1. Technical Characteristics TherelativelynewmultipurposeETRR-2facility(constructedin1992andfirstcriticalin1997)islocatedattheInshasNuclearComplexinCairo. It incorporates important lessonsfrompreviousresearchreactor designs and utilization programmes. During the designprocess INVAPS.E.ofArgentinaandtheEgyptianAtomicEnergyAuthorityevaluatedandenvisionedthepotentialusefulnessofthefacility based on experience and international studies concerningtheadvantagesofamediumflux reactor.Thekeyaspectsof theETRR-2 design are its flexibility and potential for modification toaccommodatefutureneedsandtechnology.

Technical features:• Openpooltyperesearchreactorof22MWthermalpowerwitha

berylliumreflectorandlowenricheduranium(LEU)fuel.• 26irradiationpositionswithamaximumcorethermalfluxof

2.73×1014cm–2s–1.• Cooledandmoderatedbylightwater.• Thereactoriscurrentlyoperableandlicensedforoperationat

fullpower.• Threeradialandonetangentialbeamtubes.• Twofastpneumatictransportsystemsforfastirradiation.• Severalhotcellfacilitiesatthereactorforradioisotope

processing,irradiatedsamplehandling,inspectionsandmaterialtesting.

• Awiderangeofexperimentalandproductionfacilitiesareinstalledtomeettherequirementsofvariousutilizationgroupsincludinguniversities,researchinstitutes,industryandmedicalorganizations.

2. Products and Services The reactor can support continuous full power operations for19 consecutive days before refuelling. The staff is qualified tosupportlongeroperationtimesandtrainedtoperformalloperationslisted below at the highest safety and quality standards. Theseactivitiesandstudiesinclude:

Research and development• Neutronscatteringexperiments(diffractionandtime-of-flight)

bothforfundamentalmaterialresearchandvariousapplications.• Computerizedneutrontomography.• Shieldingexperiments.

Irradiation• Analyticalanalysisofdifferentsamples(INAA,NAA)for

geological,environmentalandmedicalapplications.• ProductionofI-131andP-32formedicalpurposesandother

specialradioisotopesincludingMo-99,Cr-51,Ir-192andI-125.• Semiconductorproductionusingneutrontransmutationdoping

fortheirradiationofsiliconingots(diameter5inches/length11inches).

• Gemstonetreatment(e.g.,topazproduction,≈200kgpermonth).

• Neutronradiographyandmaterialtestingforindustry.

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Education and training• Trainingactivitiesandworkshopsinradiationprotection,

qualityassuranceandqualitycontrol,fuelmanagement,corecalculationsandmodellinginsupportofnewresearchreactorapplications.

• Educationandtrainingforuniversitystudents.

Other• Installationofsealedsourcesingammacamerasfornuclear

imaging.• Maintenanceofthegammacamerasandradiationprotection

devices.Neutron tomography and isotope production in particular playanessential role for thedevelopmentofEgypt’s nationalmedicalservice. For example, iodine-131 is widely used to diagnoseand treat thyroid cancer and other abnormal conditions such ashyperthyroidism, while phosphorus-32 is utilized for control overexcess red blood cells produced in the bone marrow caused bypolycythemiaveradisease.

Silicon ingotsalsocarryahigh importancefor thesemiconductorindustryandarewidelyusedintheircommercialproduction,whileanotherimportantareaofactivitiesisrelatedtoeducation,trainingandnuclearcapacitybuilding.This isofparticularsignificanceforEgypt,whichhasrecentlyannouncedplanstoembarkonanuclearpowerprogrammearound2020.Presentreactorstakeholdersvaryfrom research institutesanduniversities to industrial andmedicalorganizations. Still, the capabilities of the ETTR-2 are constantlyincreasing as the potential for contribution to development andmodernizationremainshigh.

3. Future Capabilities TheadministratorsofthereactorandrespectiveEgyptianauthoritiesfullysupportfurtherutilizationandimplementationofastrategicplanfor enhancing the sustainable development of ETTR-2. Projectedmodificationsareasfollows:• IncreaseincapacityforMo-99productionbasedonneutron

capture.• Developmentofreal-timedigitalneutronradiography.• InstallationofaPGNAAandSANSfacilities.• Furtherdevelopmentofneutrontransmutationdopingofthe

siliconfacility.• R&Dinboronneutroncapturetherapy.

4. Contact Information NuclearResearchCentreEgyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) Experimental TrainingResearchReactorIIAboZabal,Cairo,Egypt,13759

RR Manager: Mr M.A. GaheenEmail:magaheen@yahoo.comTel:+2024691755Fax:+2024691740

Material testing hot cell

Beam tubes

London Blue Topaz coloured by irradiation with neutrons

Iodine-131 medication

Silicon ingots for semi-conductors

Main pool

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GHARR-1

Ghana

1. Technical Characteristics TheMNSRinLegon-Accraisalowpowerresearchreactorandissimilar indesigntotheCanadianSLOWPOKEreactor.TheMNSRreactors,designedandbuiltbyChina,arepresentlybeingoperatedinanumberofcountriesincludingChinaitself,Ghana,Iran,Nigeria,Pakistan and Syria, and are considered as an excellent tool forNAA and human resource development in nuclear science andtechnology.Theconstruction,commissioningandoperationofthisreactor have been subjected to the system of authorization andinspection developed by the regulatory authority, the RadiationProtection Board, with assistance from the IAEA. InternationalSafety Assessment peer review and safety inspections haveconfirmedahigh levelofoperationalsafetyof thereactorsince itstartedoperatingin1994.

Technical features:• Tank-in-pooltype30kWresearchreactorfacility.• Highenricheduranium(HEU)fueliscurrentlyused.• Smallcoreisheavilyreflectedonthesidesandthebottomwith

aberylliumalloymaterial.• Cooledandmoderatedbylightwaterinnaturalconvection.• Asinglecadmiumcontrolrodcladwithstainlesssteelmaterial

isusedforpowerregulation,compensationoffuelconsumption,reactorstartupandshutdown.

• Thereactorhastenirradiationsitesarrangedinsideandoutsidethesideannularreflector,providingthecapabilityformultiplesampleirradiationsatdifferentfluxlevels.

• Maximumthermalneutronfluxis1.0×1012cm–2s–1.• Twogammaspectroscopysystemsplusdetectorequipmentfor

qualitativeandquantitativemeasurements.• Multi-elementalsampleanalysisfacilities.• Educationandtrainingfacilitiesforuniversitystudentsand

nuclearengineers.

2. Products and Services The GHARR-1 research reactor is utilized in support of oil andaluminium manufacturing industries, research institutions,universities,governmentregulatoryagenciesandvariousNGOsandindividuals.Theservicescarriedouthaveincluded:

Research and development• Reactorphysics,nuclearreactorcorecalculationsand

applicationdrivendesign,analysisandexperiments.• Nuclearanalyticaltechniquesandnuclearwastemanagement.• Geochemistryandhydrochemistry,soilfertilitystudiesand

mineralexploitation.• Radiationtransportphysicsandshieldingresearch.

Irradiation• Multi-elementalanalysisofmaterialsusingNAA.• Analysisofboreholewater,sedimentsandwaterfromstreams

andriversinminingareas.• Theproductionofsomeradioisotopesastracersfor

petrochemicalandminingindustrialapplications.

GHARR-1 research reactor building

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Education and training• Trainingnuclearscientistsinreactoroperationandmanagement

andreactorphysicsandpreparingthemforapotentialnationalnuclearpowerprogramme.

• Educationofuniversityandothertertiarystudentsthroughprojectsandresearchthesesinnuclearscienceandtechnology.

NAA is widely applied for multi-element non-destructive analysisin earth sciences (geology, geochemistry, and geophysics),environmentalmonitoringandpollutionassessments(air,water,andsoil), foodandagriculture,health,medicineandpharmaceuticals,biology,materialsscience,etc.Inordertodefineourorigins,NAAin conjunction with both conventional and Compton suppressioncounting are utilized in the determination of concentrations oftrace elements in ancient pottery excavated from some majorarchaeologicalsitesinGhana.

Environmentalpollutionstudiesusingenvironmentalsamplessuchassediments,soil,waterandbiologicalindicatorslikelichensaresomeofthepastandongoingresearchprojectsbeingcarriedoutusingtheGHARR-1facility.Oneofthemostinterestingenvironmentalstudiesbeingcarriedoutatthefacilitywastheuseoflichentransplantsformonitoringvehiculartrafficemissionsinthecountry.

3. Future Capabilities The process of modification and development is still ongoing. Inparticular, R&D studies undertaken with international cooperationare dedicated to the conversion of the reactor core from HEU toLEU.Otherfutureupdatesinclude:• Increaseofthenumberandvarietyofshort-livedradioisotopes

produced.• Installationofanewirradiationsite(slantingtube)toallowthe

useofthelargersamples(~5.0g).LargesampleNAAwillbeappliedforasensitivityincreaseinNAAunderalowfluxofneutrons.

• Supportofforensicinvestigationforsecurityagenciesbytheuseofnuclearanalyticaltechniques.

• FurtherincreaseofINAAutilizationforarchaeologicalstudies.• Installationofthesidelookingdetectorsalongwiththe

integrationofthegammarayspectrometerintoascanningdevicewillallowtherotationofcylindricalsamplesaroundtheverticalaxisduringcountingandtherebyreducegeometricaleffects.

4. Contact Information GhanaAtomicEnergyCommissionNationalNuclearResearchInstitutePOBoxLG80Legon-Accra,GhanaDirector: Mr B.J.B. NyarkoEmail:b.nyarko@gaecgh.orgTel:+233277406076Fax:+23321400807

Reactor vessel head

Slanting tube for large sample NAA

Analysis of ancient pottery using INAA

Quality control of petroleum products

Reactor in operation

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IRT-1

Libya

Tajoura Nuclear Research Centre

1. Technical Characteristics TheIRT-1researchreactorwasconstructedattheTajouraNuclearResearchCentreinTajourain1979andbeganoperationin1981.Itsfuelwasconvertedin2006fromHEUtoLEU.Thefacilitycontinuestobethecornerstoneofthenationalprogrammesforradioisotopeproduction,researchinnuclearphysics,andnucleareducationandtraining.TheCentre isoperatedbyanexpertstaffequippedwithnumerous laboratories, divided into focus areas such as nuclearphysics, solid state physics, neutron physics, materials science,activation analysis, radiation biophysics, radiochemistry, plasmaphysics, mass spectrometry and radiation protection and healthphysics, as well as a neutron generator laboratory containing anNG-150 high voltage accelerator. There is an agreement with AlFatehUniversityinTripoliforthetrainingofstudentsandtoconductMSc projects in addition to the IRT-1’s own advanced laboratorycourseandseveralworkshopson research reactorutilizationandradiationprotection.

Technical features:• 10MW,pooltyperesearchreactor.• Uses19.7%enrichedLEUfuelinIRT-4Mcells.• Cooledandmoderatedbylightwater.• Berylliumreflector.• Maximumneutronfluxof1014cm–2s–1.• Elevenhorizontalchannels,oneisadoubleopen-endedchannel

withadiameterof150mm.• Fiftysampleirradiationpositions.• Acriticalfacilityhasbeenconstructedasamockupofthe

reactor,withamaximumneutronfluxof107cm–2s–1.• NAAUnitpossessesbothashortirradiationfacilityanda

laboratoryfortheanalysisoflong-livedisotopes.

2. Products and Services NAA and irradiation activities• Anirradiationfacilityandananalysislaboratoryareprovidedfor

NAAactivities.• TheNAAUnithasbeencertifiedthroughseveralIAEA

proficiencytests.

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• NAAhasbeenusedforfoodandenvironmentalsurveys,suchaselementalanalysisoffishbonesandmarinealgae.

• INAAhasrevealedtheelementalcontentofbloodsamplesfromtuberculosispatients.

Radioisotope production• Isotopeproductionhasbeencentraltothefacility’soperation,

yieldingP-32,Tc-99mandothers.• I-131hasbeenproducedforlocalhospitalsandNa-24hasbeen

usedbythesoapindustrytoimprovechemicalmixing.• Br-82producedhasbeenusedbytheoilindustryasa

radiotracer.

Material science and research• TheMaterialsScienceUnithasexaminedthenuclearstructure

ofsomeelementsandinvestigatedtheuseoflocalmaterialsasradiationshielding.

Education and training• TheresearchreactorandassociatedlabsregularlyconductMSc

andnuclearmedicineprojectsandgiveuniversitystudentsatalllevelsopportunitiestoconductexperimentsforlaboratorycourses.

• TheCentrehasconductedanadvancedlaboratorycourseforthreeyears.

• Workshopsonresearchreactorutilization,radiationprotectionandnaturallyoccurringradioactivematerials.

3. Future Capabilities Although the Centre relies upon government funding, recently abusiness plan for self-sufficiency has been developed. This planinvolves seeking opportunities to provide our many services andapproaching end users for business undertakings. The NAA andRadiation Protection Departments have successfully combinedin support of this programme by conducting food monitoringprogrammesandissuingcustomerclearancelettersforimportandexportproducts.Thegoalisalsoto:• Findmoreaccessiblemarketsfornucleartechniques.• UpgradethePTSforshortirradiationservices.

4. Contact InformationTajouraNuclearResearchCentrePOBox30878TajouraLibya

Director: Mr H.B. Hamza Email:hbhamza2002@yahoo.comTel:+218213614137/135Fax:+218214614144

Reactor core

Experimental Equipment

Gamma spectroscopy laboratory

NAA laboratory

IRT-1 research reactor

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Morocco

MA-R1

Reactor facility

1. Technical Characteristics TheresearchreactorfacilityislocatedatCentred’EtudesNucléairesdelaMaâmora(CENM),locatedapproximately25kilometresnorthofthecityofRabat.ThereactorbuildingincludestheTRIGAMarkII research reactor with an initial power level of 2 MW(th), and isequippedforaplannedfutureupgradeto3MW(th).TheCENMwithitsTRIGAreactorandfullyequippedlaboratoriesgivestheKingdomofMorocco itsfirstnuclear installationwithextensivecapabilities.Theseincludetheproductionofradioisotopesformedical,industrialandenvironmentaluses;metallurgyandchemistry;implementationofnuclearanalyticaltechniquessuchasNAAandnon-destructiveexamination techniques; as well as carrying out basic researchprograms in solid state and reactor physics. The TRIGA Mark IIresearchreactoratCENMachievedinitialcriticalityon2May2007anditsconstructionculminatedwiththesuccessfulcompletionoffullpowerendurancetestingon6September2007.

Technical features:• Steadystatepowerratingof2MW(th).• FuelledbyTRIGAstandard,8.5%uraniumcontent,enrichedless

than20%.• 101fuelelementsand5B4Ccontrolrods.• Reactorcoolingbynaturalconvection.• Rotaryspecimenrackassemblycapableofirradiationof

79samplessimultaneously.• Pneumatictransfersystem.• Onecentralexperimentaltube(max.flux4×1013cm–2s–1).• Thermalcolumn.• Threeradialbeamports,onetangential.• Hexagonalandtriangularcutouts.

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2. Products and Services Theabilitytoperformadvancedneutrontechniquesandadministercomplex training programmes has been recently demonstrated.For example, NAA has been successfully performed for soil andgeological mapping, and pollution assessments and neutrondiffractionhasbeenusedformaterialstudies.Theoverallagendaalsoencompassesbothradioisotopeproductionandeducationandtraining programmes. The following summarizes major activitiesaroundtheRRfacility:

Research and development• Materialsciences.• Neutrontomography.

Services and products• INAA,NAAforgeologicalandenvironmentalsamples.• ProductionofI-131,P-32andotherradioisotopesformedical

andindustrialapplications.• Neutrontransmutationdopingforsemiconductormanufacturing.• Gemstonetreatment.• Neutronradiography.

Education and training• Training,workshopsinradiationprotection,reactorphysicsand

innuclearscienceandtechnology.• Educationandtrainingforuniversitystudentsandprofessionals.

3. Future Capabilities • Possibilitytoupgradethepowerto3MW.• InstallationofaSANSfacility.• InstallationofaPGNAAfacility.

4. Contact Information Centred’EtudesNucléairesdelaMaâmoraCNESTENBP1382R.P.Rabat10001,Morocco

RR Manager: Mr N. BouzrekiEmail:nacir@cnesten.org.maTel:+2120537819750Fax:+2120537803277

NAA laboratory

Operators at hot cells

Hot cell for radioisotope production

Quality control laboratory

MA-R1 reactor

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NIRR-1

Nigeria

Entrance to the NIRR-1 building

1. Technical Characteristics The Nigeria Miniature Neutron Source Reactor, named NigeriaResearch Reactor-1 (NIRR-1), is a low power research reactorwith a nominal thermal power of 31 kW and a maximum flux of1×1012cm–2s–1initsinnerirradiationsites.Itisasmall,compactandsafe reactor thatemploysHEUas the fuel, lightwateras themoderator/coolant,andberylliumasthereflector.ThisMNSRwasdesigned for use in universities, hospitals and research institutesmainlyforNAA,limitedproductionofshort-livedradioisotopesandtraining.

The reactor is a pool type owned by the Nigeria Atomic EnergyCommission with the assistance of the IAEA. It is located at theCentre forEnergyResearchandTraining (CERT)atAhmaduBelloUniversityinZaria,Nigeria.

Technical features:• 30kWthermalpower.• Neutronflux:~1012cm–2s–1.• Onecentralcontrolrodusedforregulatingpowerlevel,

compensatingforfuelburnupandforstartupandshutdown.• Thecoreconsistsof347fuelelementsarrangedinafuelcage

of10multi-concentriclayersinsideanannularberylliumreflectorandrestsonalowerberylliumreflectorplate.

• Thefuelelementsareallenricheduranium–aluminiumalloyextrusion,cladwithaluminium.

• Cooledbylightwaterflowthroughnaturalconvection.

2. Products and Services ThereactorisdesignedmainlyforNAA,andthisversatileanalyticaltechnique, with the multichannel analyser computer system, isbeingusedinsupportofmanyresearch,commercialirradiationandteaching projects. Auxiliary systems such as pneumatic transfersystems provide for additional NAA capabilities. One, known astype A, is suitable for irradiation for medium and long periods.TypeB,amultifunctioncapsuletransfersystem,iscoupledtofourirradiation tubes. The reactor is also used for training in nuclearphysicsandnuclearengineeringcoursesatCERTsuchasreactorstatics, reactor dynamics, thermal hydraulics, health physics andradiologicalprotection.

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Research and development• Neutronicsanalysesandthermalhydraulicsstudies.• Burnupcalculationsandfuelcycleanalyses.• Effectsofcoreexcessreactivityandaveragetemperatureon

maximumoperabletimeofNIRR-1.• Effectsoftemperatureandcontrolrodpositiononspatial

neutronfluxdistribution.• MNCPsimulationofpermanentCd-linedirradiationchannelfor

improvedutilizationofcommercialMNSRfacilities.• Resolvingdiscrepanciesbetweenmeasuredandestimatedhalf-

lifeofsomeradionuclides.• Measurementsandevaluationofnuclearcross-sectionsfor

thresholdreactions.• Effectofgermaniumcrystalsizeonenergyresolution,efficiency

andpeakshapeofHPGedetectors.

Analytical services• DeterminationofnutrientsandheavymetalsinNigerianfoodand

beveragesaswellasbromineandiodineinmedicinalherbsbyepithermalNAA.

• Elementalanalysisofflesh,bonesandgillsofpopularlyconsumedfishinNigeriatoimprovenutritionandhealth.

• Useofk0-epithermalNAAtechniquesforthedeterminationofU,Th,Kinarchaeologicalmaterials.

• GeochemicalandsoilfertilitymappingofNigeria.• TraceelementabundancesinNigeriancrudeoilsandlubricants.

3. Future Capabilities The production of short and medium life radioisotopes is beinginvestigated.Aradiochemicallaboratorywillbeestablishedforthispurpose.Otherareastobefullydevelopedare:• Studyofthelevelsoftoxicandheavyelementsinwells,rivers,

bottledandpublicwatersupplies,aswellasmonitoringofpollutantsinair,waterandsediments.

• Dopingtraceelementsinceramicsandsiliconwafers.• Elementalanalysistoexamineevidencefromcrimessuchas

hair,nailandserumsamples,andfortheidentificationoftheageofpotteryandmetalartefacts.

4. Contact Information ReactorEngineeringSectionCentreforEnergyResearchandTrainingAhmaduBelloUniversity,ZariaP.M.B.1014ZariaKadunaState,NigeriaInstitute Director: Prof. I.I. FuntuaEmail:iifuntua@yahoo.comTel:+23469896733Fax:+23462550737

NIRR-1 reactor top

NIRR-1 in operation

Sample preparation lab

Pneumatic sample transfer system

Counting room 2

NIRR-1 control console

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SAFARI-1

South Africa

SAFARI-1 reactor site

1. Technical Characteristics Built in 1961 (initial criticality 1965), the first South AfricanFundamentalAtomicReactorInstallation(SAFARI-1)isapooltypeMaterials Test Reactor (MTR) with a licensed operating power of20MWlocatedatPelindabanearPretoria.Thesiteisequippedwithafullrangeoffacilitiesandservicessupportiveofnucleartechnologydevelopmentandproduction.SAFARI-1hasregularlydemonstrateditssuccessinthedualroleofprovidingreliableservicesasanationalassettoSouthAfrica,whileatthesametimeprovidingneutronsforthebackboneofaverysuccessfulcommercialenterprise.

Technical features:• Pooltyperesearchreactorof20MWpower.• Utilizationfocusoncommercialapplications.• Since2009operateswithafullyconvertedcorewithLEUfuel.• Cooledandmoderatedbylightwaterwithaberylliumreflector.• Twelvecoreirradiationfacilitieswithmaximumneutronflux

4x1014cm–2s–1.• Widerangeofsupportfacilities,includinganMTRfuel

manufacturingplant,extensivehotcellfacilities,aradioisotopecentre,apipestoragefacilityforspentfuel,twodisposalsitesforlowandmediumlevelradioactivewaste,andaradiochemistrylaboratory.

• Reactoroperatestwentyfourhoursperday,sevendaysperweek,withmorethan300daysperyearatfullpower.

• TheSAFARI-1Quality,Health,Safety,Environment(QHSE)managementsystemiscertifiedtoISO9000andISO14000,andisintheprocessofcertificationtoOHSAS18000.

2. Products and Services Irradiation• Productionofradioisotopesformedicalapplication(both

nationallevelandforexport)–Mo-99,I-131,etc.• Neutrontransmutationdopingforsiliconingotswidelyusedin

thesemiconductorindustry.• PneumaticandfastpneumaticsystemsforNAA.• Digitalneutronradiographyandtomographyforvarious

applications(oilandmineralsexploration,civilengineering,archaeologyandpalaeoanthropology,nuclearwasteresearch,etc.).

Research and development• Neutrondiffractionformagneticphaseanalysis,residualstrain,

chemicalphaseanalysis,crystallography,magneticphaseanalysis,nuclearmaterialsresearch(potentialusersareindustryandacademia).

• Smallangleneutronscatteringformaterialsresearch.• Utilizationofbeamportsforbeamtubeexperiments,basicand

appliedresearchinphysicsandnuclearengineering.

Education and training• Alltrainingrelatedtooperation,managementandapplications

ofresearchreactorsisconductedbyaspeciallycreatedReactorTrainingCommittee.

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• Organizationofnational,regionalandinternationaltrainingcoursesandworkshops.

• Educationandtrainingforuniversitystudents,includingMScandPhDprojects.

Molybdenum-99(Mo-99)producedintheresearchreactornaturallydecays to technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is described as averyelegantandreliablediagnosticagent.Tc-99misused in fourof every five diagnostic procedures worldwide (or 80% in overallnuclear medicine), an estimated 40 million procedures annually,fordetectionandstagingofheartandcancerdiseasediagnoses.Currently,SAFARI-1isoneoftheworld’sfivelargestproducersofMo-99.While theworlddemand forMo-99 isgrowing,SAFARI-1remains among the few reliable producers, participating in thesupply chain of more than 50 countries worldwide including theUSA,UK,AustraliaandthemajorEuropeanandAsiannations.

The efforts put into the management and training of reactoroperationspersonnelhasbeenshowntohaveapositivecontributiontotheefficientoperationofSAFARI-1.Operatortrainingisdonein-housetoahighstandard.Alltheoreticalexaminationsandpracticaltests have high pass requirements and all efforts of the trainedstudentsaresupportedfinancially.Theuniqueshiftstructureallowscontinuousretrainingaswellasgreaterstabilityandflexibilityandincreasedpersonneleconomy.

3. Future Capabilities Recent evaluations have indicated that an expected operationallifetimebeyond2020wouldbequiterealisticforthereactor.Throughthepast45yearsthereactorhasbeenmodernizedseveraltimes.Still,thesuccessfulcommercialuseofthereactorallowsconstantdevelopment and improvement of facilities and infrastructureincreasing utilization opportunities. Current developments includethefollowing:• SAFARI-1hasembarkedonanageingmanagementprogramme

toupgradevariousreactorstructures,systemsandcomponentsinadditiontootherimprovementprojectsoverthenextfiveyears.Thiswillenableanextensionofitslifeupto20yearsto2030.

• SANSfacilityforapplicationsinnano-powders,polymers,textilesfornuclearwasteandnuclearmaterialsresearchforacademiaandindustry.

• Neutrondiffractionfacilityupgradesforresidualstressandstraininvestigationsforappliedmaterialresearch,includingmaterialsforfuturefissionandfusionreactors.

4. Contact Information NuclearEnergyCorporationofSouthAfrica(NECSA)POBox582,Pretoria0001SouthAfrica

RR Manager: Mr D. TillwickEmail:Dieter.Tillwick@necsa.co.zaTel:+27123055260Fax:+27123055956

Mo-99 produced at SAFARI-1 is used in radiation theraphy

Neutron radiography facility

Neutron tomography applied in palaeontology

Silicon ingot

Reactor core

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Africa’s newest RR, the MA-R1 of Morocco, will be featured during the technical tour at the 2011 International Conference on Research Reactors: Safe Management and Effective Utilization, 14-18 November, in Rabat

ContentprovidedinpartbytheresearchreactormemberinstitutionsoftheAfricanRegionalCooperativeAgreement(AFRA)Allphotosarethepropertyoftherespectiveinstituteorcorporation.

November2011

www.iaea.org

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8961

Research Reactors in Africa

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1400 Vienna, AustriaTelephone: (+43-1) 2600-0

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