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The RA-6 Reactor is a pool-type reactor with an open water surface
and variable core arrangement. Its main feature is plant safety
and reliability. Its power output is 500 kWth, cooled by light
water and moderated by graphite. It has plate-type fuel elements
(MTR type, approx. 20% enriched uranium) with aluminum cladding.
Reactor block
The distribution of the reactor core and associated control and
safety systems is essentially based on the following design criteria:
- The reactor is cooled by natural convection if confronted
with a loss of pumping power
- Access to the reactor core from the top of pool level is
possible with the reactor operating at full power, in order
to facilitate actual implementation of experiments. Mechanisms
associated with control and safety rods are located on the top
of the reactor tank. This aids in the training of personnel
and the actual carrying out of experiments, hence:
· a high water column was placed over the core to act
as radiation shielding
· the core is cooled by downwards flow which leads to a
decay tank beyond the pool to allow for N-16 decay
Control room
The reactivity balance of the reactor is controlled by the reactor
control and safety plates.
Design concept
The design concept is based on the requirements of a reactor
of versatile utilization. It has been mainly designed for:
- Radioisotope production for medical and industrial purposes
(small laboratory scale)
- Basic and applied research in reactor physics and nuclear
engineering
- Beam port for neutron scattering experiments
- Material testing
- Activation analysis
- Materials irradiation
- Training of scientific and technical personnel
Irradiation boxes are used for radioisotope production. Boxes
are either inserted in the core or positioned within the external
reflector.
One rabbit system is provided for irradiation experiments.
In order to facilitate research activities, the reactor has been
provided with neutron beam channels.
There is an auxiliary pool for spent-fuel storage.
Reactor safety is complemented with a network of radiation detectors
located in contamination-risk areas, plus fire-detection and manual
and automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
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