ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Date: 1 May 2008

Nuclear Safety Agency Approves Modified Fuel Design For OPAL Reactor

On 1 May 2008, the CEO of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), Dr John Loy, announced that he had approved a submission from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) for a modified design of reactor fuel for the Open Pool Australian Light-water (OPAL) reactor. ANSTO may now undertake the first part of its Return to Service Program and load the modified fuel into the OPAL reactor.

In July 2007, ANSTO discovered that several fuel plates had displaced from their original positions in the core of the OPAL reactor. The reactor had been shutdown since this discovery to allow the incident to be investigated. As a result of this investigation, ANSTO deemed it necessary to modify the design of the fuel used for the reactor.

ARPANSA legislation imposes a requirement on ANSTO to seek the CEO of ARPANSA’s approval prior to making any modification to the OPAL reactor that has significant implications for nuclear safety.

Prior to making his decision the CEO of ARPANSA has undertaken a detailed review of the submission, including the engagement of external experts on reactor fuel design and vibration. The review also involved extensive questions and answers on the submission, including the undertaking of additional tests by ANSTO.

Dr Loy said that he was satisfied that the modified design for the reactor fuel was appropriate and could be undertaken without undue risk to the health and safety of people and to the environment. However the CEO proposes to impose additional licence conditions on the facility licence for the OPAL reactor which will require ANSTO to continue a regime of testing for the fuel and to re- examine the design of the fuel in its entirety within two years.

ENDS.

 

Top of Page