Feasibility Study for the Egyptian First Research Reactor Power Upgrading from 2 MW To 10 MW

After 50 years of the Egyptian First Research Reactor (ET-RR-1) operation, a modernization program for the reactor systems is required in order to achieve two main objectives: safe operation of the reactor in accordance with the provisions of the updated safety standards and reactor utilization in a competitive environment to satisfy the current and future demands and requirements of nuclear research. In view of changing experimental needs and isotope production at high neutron fluxes as well as future safe reactor operation, it should be decided to upgrade the reactor power. Partial decommissioning of ET-RR-1 will be required before incorporating improvements in the systems and installation of equipment for the upgrading and refurbishment activities. Power upgrade, will demand detailed reactor design calculations pertaining to core neutronics, thermal hydraulics, shielding, accident analysis, and radiological consequence analysis. The current condition of the reactor allows for its safe operation for at least 20 – 25 more years if all reactor systems are refurbished, modified or changed. Thus, extending reactor operations till 2035 should be considered the strategic goal. The main goal of the present study is to introduce an outline plan for the power upgrading of ET-RR-1 from 2 MW to 10 MW, in order to improve the current applications and to develop new ones. To achieve this objective, a new reactor core with other fuel elements and a beryllium reflector will be developed. The concept of power upgrading should take into account all feasible and available possibilities, such as fuel questions, core Configuration with increased irradiation facilities, technical capabilities including utilization issues, as well as future operation and maintenance questions. The problem of finding an ultimate solution of the spent fuel problem (which already exists in the spent fuel storage tanks) should be considered. Finally, on the basis of the considerations listed above, the reconstruction and upgrade project should be drafted including an outline of the project schedule and the required resources, including financial and human demands. At an early planning stage, the future of the facility has to be shown to the national political authority by providing a detailed business plan, where the costly upgrading project should be compared against the cost of decommissioning the facility. However, in both cases, very well-planned and skilful management of these activities are required. (author)