Status and perspectives on the utilization of a new nuclear research reactor in Jordan

A new nuclear research reactor, the Jordan Research and Training Reactor (JRTR), has completed its hot commissioning testing and is awaiting the issuance of its operation license. The JRTR is the first nuclear reactor to be constructed in Jordan. The JRTR reached its first criticality on April 25th, 2016 and is currently undergoing initial operational testing up to its full rated power. The JRTR is an open-tank-in-pool multi-purpose research reactor with a maximum rated power of 5 MW_t, upgradable to 10 MW_t, and thermal neutron fluxes of order of 10¹⁴ n/cm². sec in the core region and 10¹³ n/cm². sec in the reflector region. The JRTR will provide the following multi-purpose services, both domestically and internationally: education and training, neutron activation analysis, radioisotope production, material irradiation including neutron transmutation doping and various neutron beam research such as in terms of neutron imaging and neutron scattering. In this paper, the general characteristics of the JRTR and its utilization aspects are introduced. Perspectives on the instrumentation plan of the neutron beam tubes of the JRTR are proposed. Having the JRTR to be the first regional scientific research center of excellence in the Middle-East for education, training, and research in nuclear technology applications is highlighted.