The OPAL reactor does not just look well: it functions well too. Its very advanced design makes it one of the most flexible, efficient and safe research and production reactors worldwide

OPAL (Open Pool Australian Light-water reactor) is a 20MW multipurpose nuclear facility, for advanced nuclear and material-science research involving high neutron fluxes. As a production reactor, it will supply various radioisotopes for all of Australia, and most of South East Asian medical, industrial and research markets.

This new-fangled facility belongs to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) and is located at the Centre for Science and Technology located at Lucas Heights, NSW, 35 km soutwest of Sydney. OPAL replaces HIFAR, a British reactor dating from the fifties, recently decommissioned.

OPAL is an open-pool, low enrichment uranium silicide reactor. It is water cooled and employs heavy water as a reflectant. Its core design is very compact, to ensure the highest possible neutron yield. The new reactor became critical on August 12, and operates at full power since November, 11th, 2006. OPAL consists of several buildings. There is, first of all, that of the reactor proper, which stands higher than the rest. Then there are the neutron guide building, the visitors´ centre and office building, the auxiliary services, the powerhouse and the cooling towers.
		OPAL's dapper hall. The main open pool contains the core, with facilities for local irradiation of substances, and guides derivating neutron beams to impact upon distant targets as well. The auxiliary pool is meant for storing burnt-up fuel elements, and has provisions for their volume-reduction.