Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the
2002 International RERTR Meeting

GUIDELINES TO UPGRADE AND CONVERT
THE ARGENTINE´S RESEARCH REACTOR RA6

M.J. Abbate, P. Adelfang, R. Calabrese and M.M. Sbaffoni
 
Comisión Nacional De Energia Atomica Argentina
Av. Del Libertador 8250 – 1429 Buenos Aires, Argentina

ABSTRACT

It is been considered a proposal in order to define a project oriented to modify and to convert the argentine´s research reactor RA6 of 500 KW of thermal power.
Its main guidelines are presented here.
This reactor is in operation from 1982 in the Bariloche Atomic Center and was designed and constructed by CNEA and INVAP SE.
Original core is composed by 25 old design RA3´s fuel elements partially burned, that means containing high enriched uranium (HEU).
The strategic objective of the project is to allow the use of this facility to produce radioisotopes as auxiliary alternative to the RA3.
For these, it is proposed:
-to adapt the facility in order to be able to increase the thermal power or neutron flux to adequate level enough to the mentioned use and regarding the compatibility with the general specifications and requiring a minimum of modifications.
-to change the core, these implies:
-to convert the reactor from HEU to LEU fuel opening the possibility to return spent fuel elements to USA through the RERTR previsions.
-to include new high density LEU fuels in developing in the country.
-to complete the facilities to handle radioactive material in the RA6 building.
Not major problems are expected considering our long experience acquired with the RA3.
Some preliminary studies are already under way.

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