ANSTO's research reactor
OPAL is a state-of-the-art 20 megawatt open-pool reactor which uses low enriched uranium fuel and is cooled by water. Australia's only nuclear reactor, OPAL provides life-saving nuclear medicines, neutrons for scientific research and irradiation services.
OPAL is not a power reactor. It is used for research and nuclear medicine production and is one of only three types of research reactor with the same production capacity in the world.
Unlike an average nuclear power reactor which runs at around 3,000 megawatts (MW) and uses about 100,000 kg of uranium, OPAL produces just 20 MW with 30 kg of uranium, which includes around 6 kg of uranium-235.
OPAL's small size also means it poses no measurable radiation-induced health threat to residents in surrounding areas.
The reactor building is made from reinforced concrete which protects the reactor from all external events and also provides the structural basis to contain any radiation emissions that may result from an unlikely major incident. It is also seismically qualified and is surmounted by a metal grill for protection from an aircraft collision.
The reactor's security design was developed in accordance with current international best practice and is integrated into the overall ANSTO site system, which includes 24 hour protection by the Australian Federal Police.
Multi-purpose
OPAL is multi-purpose because it encompasses radioisotope production, irradiation services and neutron beam research. All three play key roles in a wide range of applications, from next-generation medicine and nutrition to designing tomorrow's safer, smarter materials.
The reactor has twice the power of its predecessor (HIFAR), with between four and 10 times the irradiation capability, superior neutron scattering abilities, and will house some of the most sophisticated measuring instruments in the world.
The specially designed compact core (about the size of a two-drawer filing cabinet) means it can achieve high performance when producing neutrons; basically it is a "neutron factory". It will offer more advanced neutron scattering capabilities, allowing researchers to understand atomic structures at a scale of detail not previously available in Australia.
This is the first time Australia has been able to offer industry and researchers the benefits of neutron-radiography in material stress analysis, strain scanning and other relevant applications on a large scale.