Ghana Research Reactor-1
| GHARR-1 | |
|---|---|
  Accra, Ghana | |
| Operating Institution | Ghana Atomic Energy Commission |
| Location | Accra, Ghana |
| Coordinates | 5°33′N 0°12′W / 5.550°N 0.200°W |
| Type | Miniature Neutron Source Reactor |
| Power | 30 kW (thermal) |
| Construction and Upkeep | |
| Construction Began | 1994 |
| Time to Construct | 1 year |
| First Criticality | December 17, 1994 |
| Annual Upkeep Cost | 1.5 M $US |
| Technical Specifications | |
| Max Thermal Flux | 1.012 s−1 cm−2 |
| Max Fast Flux | 1.2·1012 s−1 cm−2 |
| Cooling | Light water |
| Neutron Moderator | Light water |
| Neutron Reflector | Beryllium |
The Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) is a nuclear research reactor located in Accra, Ghana and is the only nuclear reactor in the country. It is operated by the National Nuclear Research Institute, a sub-division of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. The reactor is a commercial version of the Chinese Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) design. The reactor had its first criticality on December 17, 1994.[1]
Description
[edit]GHARR-1 is a light water reactor with a maximum thermal power of 30 kW, a maximum thermal flux of 1012 s−1cm−2, and a maximum fast flux of 1.2·1012 s−1cm−2.[2] Beryllium is used as a reflector and the reactor is cooled by natural convection.[1] Low enriched fuel is used, although the reactor was initially designed for 90.2% enriched uranium.[3] The reactor core has 347 fuel rods.
The reactor is mainly used as a research tool, including for neutron activation analysis and reactor physics experiments.[4] Research has indicated that GHARR-1 could be used to produce the radionuclide Technetium-99 in the future.[5] It is also used for education of university students at the University of Ghana School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences.
Conversion to low enriched uranium
[edit]The miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR) design originally operated with high enriched uranium (HEU), typically 90% uranium-235 or greater. In 2006, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) developed a Collaborative Research Project (CRP) and eventually a MNSR working group to coordinate conversion to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel,[6] typically defined as lower than 20% Uranium-235. HEU is associated with increased proliferation risks, as it can be more easily diverted to non-peaceful uses of atomic energy than LEU. The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission is a member of the MNSR working group, and has successfully transitioned GHARR-1 to low enriched fuel.
Ghana was the first country outside of China to successfully convert their MNSR reactor to LEU.[7] The HEU core was removed in August 2016[3] and the operation was completed in 2017.[6] The original nuclear fuel was UAl4 with Al-303-1 cladding while the new LEU fuel is uranium dioxide at 13% enrichment with Zircaloy-4 cladding.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b BSS, IAEA - MTIT -. "Header Information - RRDB - IAEA". nucleus.iaea.org. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
- ^ "Ghana, Republic of: Research Reactor Details - GHARR-1". www-naweb.iaea.org. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ a b "Ghanaian reactor at full power after fuel conversion". www.world-nuclear-news.org. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
- ^ Amuasi, J. H.; Schandorf, C.; Yeboah, J. "Safety of Ghana Research Reactor (GHARR-1)" (PDF). International Atomic Energy Agency. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
- ^ Akaho, E. H. K.; Maaku, B. T.; Anim-Sampong, S. (1998). "A mathematical model for predicting activities of 99Mo, 99mTc and 99Tc: with application to Ghana Research Reactor-1". Ghana Journal of Chemistry. 4 (1): 7–13. ISSN 0855-0484.
- ^ a b (IAEA), International Atomic Energy Agency. "MNSR - IAEA NEFW". www.iaea.org. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
- ^ "Supporting Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Ghana Converts Research Reactor from HEU to LEU Fuel". 2017-08-29. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
- ^ Odoi, H. C.; Gbadago, J. K.; Abrefah, R. G.; Birikorang, S. A.; Sogbadjo, B. B. M.; Ampomah-Amoako, E.; Morman, J. "Efforts Made for the Conversion of Ghana's MNSR to LEU" (PDF). 35th International Meeting on Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors.