Managing ageing research reactors to ensure safe, effective operations (Spanish Edition)

As over two thirds of the world's operating research reactors are now over 30 years old, operators and regulators are focusing on refurbishing and modernizing reactors to ensure they can continue to perform in a safe and efficient manner. For more than 60 years, research reactors have been centres of innovation and development for nuclear science and technology programmes around the world. These small nuclear reactors primarily generate neutrons — rather than power — for research, education and training purposes, as well as for applications in areas such as industry, medicine and agriculture. There are two kinds of ageing related to research reactors: physical ageing, which is the degradation of the physical condition of the reactor's systems and components, and obsolescence, which is when the technology used for computers, instrumentation and control systems or safety regulations becomes outdated. The ageing of facilities was one of the concerns that led to the IAEA initiating its Research Reactor Safety Enhancement Plan in 2001. This plan aims to help countries ensure a high level of research reactor safety. It includes the Code of Conduct on the Safety of Research Reactors, which provides guidance to countries on the development and harmonization of policies, laws and regulations regarding the safety of research reactors. As part of this plan, countries work with the IAEA to implement systematic ageing management programmes that, among others, use good practices to minimize the performance degradation of systems and components, to continuously monitor and assess reactor performance and to implement practical safety upgrades. These ageing programmes can also benefit from operating programmes in other areas, such as maintenance, periodic testing, inspections and periodic safety reviews.