JANUS - a new research reactor concept using low-enriched fuel

Since the beginning of the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy, research reactors have been playing an important role as large research units for nuclear research and nuclear-technical development, material testing and developing, and for education. Within the frame of the international INFCE-assessment of the nuclear fuel cycle, a future limitation in the application of highly enriched uranium in the research reactors was agree upon in order to prevent abuse of nuclear fuels. These reactors had, up to day, been operated practically exclusively with highly enriched fuel. Therefore, a concept was worked out to convert existing reactors to low enrichment and a new research reactor especially for low enrichment was developed. A special feature of this reactor is its suitability to be used as a multipurpose research unit. It can be used both as a jet-pipe reactor and as an irradiation device for testing materials and producing isotopes. (orig.)