LOGO
AN INTRODUCTION TO PUSPATI
TRIGA REACTOR
UNITEN
January 20, 2015
Prepared by :
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
MALAYSIAN NUCLEAR AGENCY
Contents
1 Malaysian Nuclear Agency
2 PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP)
3 Conclusion
Malaysian Nuclear Agency
Malaysian Nuclear Agency (also known as Nuclear Malaysia) was
established through a decision of the Cabinet on 19 September 1972, and
had undergone a number of name changes, before assuming its current
identity.
The idea of establishment of Nuclear Malaysia was came from former
Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Dr Ismail after his visit to BATAN, Indonesia
on 1970.
Functions of the Malaysian Nuclear Agency are as follows:
Conduct research and development (R&D), services and training in
nuclear technology for national development;
Promote the application, transfer and commercialization of nuclear
technology; and,
Coordination and management of nuclear affairs at national and
international levels and as liaison agency for the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA).
Nuclear Malaysia on the Map
PUSPATI
TRIGA Reactor
PLANTS AND FACILITIES
PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor SINAGAMA
Radioactive Waste Management
Centre
Radioisotope Production
Laboratory RAYMINTEX
ALURTRON
Secondary Standard
Flora Centre
Dosimetry Laboratory
NDT laboratory
ORGANIZATION CHART
Reactor Technology Division
Organization Structure of Reactor Technology Division
PUSPATI TRIGA REACTOR
PUSPATI TRIGA REACTOR (RTP)
T Training
R Research
I Isotope Production
G General
A Atomic
FUNCTIONS
RTP Constructed in 1981 by General Atomic, nuclear research and
USA and reach its criticality in 28 June 1982 development
– Commissioned.
TRIGA MARK II Pool Type Reactor with U- radioisotope production
ZrH1.6 fuel element.
Operational power: Up to 1 MWth experimental and training
facilities
9
History of PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor
2014
2007 Reactor
Remove DNA console
Tubes & IPTS upgrading
1989 -1990
Medical Isotope 1995
Production New Cooling
Tower
1987
1986
Dry Tube
DNA Tubes 2009 – 2010
New Primary
Cooling
28 June 1982 1999 - 2000 System
Initial criticality Refurbish
1991 Active
Isotope PTS Ventilation
1981 System
Construction 1983 - 1985
Neutron 1990 & 1995
Radiography Small Angle
Facility Neutron Scattering
Facility
Cutaway View of RTP
- Nuclear fuel
- Control Rod Major
- Cooling System component
- Moderator of RR
- Reflector
- Shielding
DESCRIPTION OF THE RTP
REACTOR MODEL • TRIGA MARK II Pool Type reactor
MAXIMUM POWER • 1 MW Thermal ( Steady State )
NUCLEAR FUEL • U-ZrH1.6 (Standard TRIGA)
ENRICHMENT • U-235 (20%)
REFLECTOR • Graphite
TYPICAL NEUTRON FLUX • 1 X 10 12 n/cm2/s (Rotary Rack)
DESCRIPTION OF THE RTP
MAXIMUM NEUTRON
• 1 X 10 13 n/cm2/s (Central Thimble)
FLUX
MAXIMUM COOLANT/
MODERATOR • 45 0C
TEMPERATURE
MAXIMUM FUEL
• 500 0C
ELEMENT TEMPERATURE
• Boron Carbide
CONTROL ROD
• ( 3 Fuel Follower CR, 1 Air Follower CR )
MODERATOR / COOLANT • Light water (Demineralised)
RTP Operation and Maintenance
Normal operation
6 hrs/day, 4 days/week
Periodic reactor inspection and maintenance
Two scheduled activities:
Semi Annual Inspection and Annual Inspection and
Maintenance Maintenance
(Midyear) (Year end)
Unscheduled activities
Fuel Integrity Inspection
Cherenkov Effect during
Reactor Operation
Beam Port Leak Inspection
Unloading irradiated samples
PUSPATI TRIGA Operation
950 450 450 580
How the reactor is operated?
Neutron Source (AmBe)
Fuel Element
Four control rods, namely
Transient, Safety, Shim and
Regulating will be drawn up
from the reactor core
TRAN SAFE SHIM REG
Operational History
RTP Operational
History No of Irradiated Fuel
• 92 fuel for 8.5 wgt %, 6 fresh fuel
Fully 8.5 • 20 fuel for 12 wgt %, 0 fresh fuel >2010s
wgt % FE • 10 fuel for 20 wgt %, 1 fresh fuel
~1980’s
CORE 14 24 Mac 09 – 1 Feb 13
CORE 15 Mac 2013 - NOW
CORE 0 28 Jun 82 – 1 July 82 ~2000’s
CORE 1 7 July 82 – 30 Nov 85
CORE 2 16 Dec 85 – 12 Jun 87
CORE 3 20 Jun 87 – 13 May 88
CORE 10 21 Jul 94 – 19 Jul 01
CORE 4 23 May 88 – 9 Dec 89
CORE 11 23 Aug 01 – 25 May 06
CORE 5 ~1990’s CORE 12 5 Jul 06 – 18 Jul 07
CORE 13 14 Sep 07 – 15 Aug 08
CORE 6 6 Jan 90 – 11 Jun 91 Introduction of
Introduction of CORE 7 20 Jun 91 – 30 Nov 91
CORE 8 3 Jan 92 – 3 Jul 93 20 wgt % FE
12 wgt % FE
CORE 9 15 Sep 93 – 18 Jun 94
RTP Operational Data
2001 - 2013
Record in Log Book and archive using
ANADATA
Source : RTP Annual Report 2013
Reactor Core
Core Configuration
10 Fuel
15 Fuel
83 Fuel
10 Dummy
3 FFCR
1 AFCR
5 EF
Source : Safety Analysis Report 2014
Standard TRIGA Fuel
Characteristic of RTP fuel
Parameter Nominal Value
Thickness, inch (cm)
Fuel element (fuel meat and cladding 1.47 (3.73)
Fuel meat (U-ZrH1.6 ) & Zr Rod 1.43 (3.63)
Cladding (SS304) 0.02 (0.051)
Cross section area, inch2 (cm2)
Water flow 0.83 (5.38)
Length, inch (cm)
Total fuel element 29.6 (75.26)
Active height (fuelled part) 15.0 (38.1)
Top graphite section 2.6 (6.5)
Bottom graphite section 3.7 (9.45)
Nominal U content
Weight, g 8.5 wt % 190
12 wt % 275
20 wt % 495
U-235 content
Enrichment, % 20
Weight, g 8.5 wt % 40
12 wt % 55
20 wt % 100
Source : Safety Analysis Report 2014
FE weight content
Each fuel element have a specific amount of U-235
8.5 wt %
12 wt %
20 wt %
Source : Physical Inventory Listing of RTP
INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL
Functions:
for monitoring and display reactor parameters such as; neutron flux or reactor
power, bulk water temperature, rate of power , chart copy of power recording
for protecting the reactor from abnormal circumstances that could result accidents
for controlling the reactor power by withdrawal and positioning the control rods,
maintaining and regulating the reactor power ‘set ‘ value
Removal of old reactor Installation of new console Inspection and testing
console
Area Radiation Monitoring
Area radiation monitoring instrument (ARM) also known as a survey
meter, acts to measure radiation level of the surrounding area
where are they located.
Located at several strategic places where the probability of radiation
released is higher.
Reactor Hall Control Room Pneumatic Room Basement
It is designed with alarms (audio and visual), as an additional
protection system. If unwanted radiation level detected, the alarm
will be triggered automatically.
Location Pre-Alarm (Roentgen) Alarm (Roentgen)
Reactor Beam Ports 0.500 mR/Hour 1.000 mR/Hour
Reactor Pool Top 500.000 mR/Hour 1000 .000 mR/Hour
Reactor Control Room 0.500 mR/Hour 1.000 mR/Hour
Pneumatic Room 0.500 mR/Hour 1.000 mR/Hour
Basement (Cooling system) 10.000 mR/Hour 20.000 mR/Hour
1R=0.11933Sv
OTHER SYSTEM
water purification system
cooling system
ventilation system
RTP UTILIZATION
IRRADIATION FACILITY
Central Thimble
Near-
Core In-Core
Beam Port 4 - SANS
Pneumatic Transfer
System
Dry Tube
Delay Neutron
Activation
Beam Port 3 - Neutron Rotary Rack Thermal Column
Radiography
RTP UTILIZATION (cont)
Figure 1: Number of Irradiation Application and Irradiated Samples, 2013
RR: Rotary Rack
PTS: Pneumatic
Transfer System
NuR2 : Neutron
Radiography
SANS : Small Angle
Neutron Scattering
TC : Thermal Column
IC : In Core
Reactor Visit
RTP receives visitors from many organization such academic
institution, private sector as well as public sector personnel.
This is including students, lecturers, researchers and any interested
parties.
The procedure for the visit is, the visitors (outsider) must have the
permission or go through Corporate Communication Unit (UKK) for
the arrangement.
Important information briefed before enter the reactor hall;
Heath; health condition, dose monitoring device, dose limit etc
Safety and security; Emergency exit, physical monitoring, alarms etc.
Don’t and do
• Prohibited items such as camera, loose items, appearances, keep-
in group, etc.
Facility Walkthrough & Reactor Checklist
Conclusion
1 RTP is the only Research Reactor in Malaysia and has
been safely operated since 1982
2 RTP receives students and visitors including for:
- Facility walkthrough and plant familiarization
- Conduct experiment
- Attachment / practical
- final year project
- etc
LOGO