Regulatory assessment of SAMOP test facility as utilization of Kartini Reactor

A review in term of regulatory assessment on approval application for utilization of the SAMOP test facility has been carried out. The SAMOP test facility designed by PSTA-BATAN is one form of utilization of the Kartini Reactor. SAMOP (Subcritical Assembly for Mo-99 Production) is a subcritical assembly used to produce Mo-99 radioisotopes which are the parent radioisotopes of the Tc-99m isotope. The Tc-99m isotope is widely used for medical purposes, especially radiodiagnostics. This paper describes the implementation of design safety provisions for subcritical devices as a form of utilization in research reactors, especially for technical safety provisions, such as neutronic, thermohydraulic, and radiation protection aspects. Safety provisions for the design of subcritical assembly should ensure the implementation of three basic functions of safety, namely the control of reactivity, heat transfer, and confinement of radioactive substances. Evaluation of the application for approval of SAMOP operation is carried out with refer to regulation concerning safety of utilization and modification. BAPETEN Chairman Regulation (BCR) governing design safety for research reactors does not yet include safety provisions for subcritical assembly. BAPETEN needs to regulate the design safety requirements for subcritical assembly and to revise BCR related to the utilization and modification of research reactors to accommodate new safety provisions after the Fukushima accident. (author)