Utilization experience with research reactors of various power levels

Utilization of research reactor, PARR-1 at the power level of 5 MW, and then at 9 MW, after the up gradation and conversion from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU), has been described. In addition, the type of work carried out around a smaller facility, PARR-2, with power rating of 27kW has also been discussed. Utilization of PARR-1 in the area of neutron diffraction, neutron capture studies, radioisotope production, neutron activation analysis, reactor physics, and in reactor controls etc has been illustrated. The benefits derived from the up gradation of the power for neutron diffraction studies, radioisotope production and neutron radiography have been discussed. The problem, which can be handed successfully on PARR-2, include neutron activation analysis, production of short-lived radioisotopes, and experimentation in reactor engineering and physics for training purposes. Suitable methodologies have been developed for the analysis of samples of varied nature using neutron activation technique, and the experience gained has been applied to the analysis of geological, environmental and biological samples and high purity materials. (author)