Images of OPAL

OPAL building

The design of the OPAL building is modern, clean and welcoming for workers and visitors. The design incorporates first class safety and security features, comfort, efficiency and concern for the surrounding environment.

OPAL building at night

A dramatic image of the OPAL building at night. Photo by Nick Cubbin.

OPAL building at night

The OPAL Building lit up to celebrate its formal opening in 2007.

OPAL roof panorama

The OPAL building's iconic roof, captured as a panorama by Nick Cubbin.

OPAL's roof

The reactor building is made from reinforced concrete which protects the reactor from all external events and provides the structural basis for reactor containment. It is also seismically qualified and is surmounted by a metal grill for protection from a light aircraft collision.

Cherenkov radiation reactor glow

The high energy beta particles from spent nuclear fuel immersed in water gives rise to a blue glow known at Cherenkov radiation. Cerenkov radiation is the emission of light by a charged particle passing through a transparent non-conducting liquid at a speed greater than the speed of light in that material.

OPAL reactor

The OPAL reactor facility has three parts:

1. OPAL reactor core and reflector vessel
2. Cold-neutron source and
3. Neutron guides and scientific instruments.

The control room

The OPAL control room, where operators monitor the reactor system. The reactor hall can be viewed through the windows.

Fuel assembly

The reactor core is made up of 16 fuel assemblies and five control rods made of hafnium. Those rods control the reaction when at power, and are also the first shutdown system for the reactor. The rods can be inserted completely in less than a second to stop a chain reaction and reduce the reactor power to very low levels.

Cutaway diagram

The reflector vessel is a cylindrical tank of heavy water (D₂O) surrounding the core of the reactor. It is used as a neutron reflector with its main purpose being to sustain the nuclear fission reaction.

OPAL Model

The OPAL Visitor's Centre features a large architectural model of the OPAL building and reactor.

OPAL Visitor's Centre

As part of the school tours, high school students are escorted to the OPAL Visitor's Centre where trained Education Officers explain how the reactor works.

OPAL Visitor's Centre

Inside the OPAL Visitor's Centre, which features several interactive displays.

Construction of OPAL

Construction of the building that houses the OPAL reactor began in 2002 when the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) issued a licence to construct the reactor.

Construction of OPAL

Construction of the OPAL building nears completion in 2005. An operating licence was issued on 14 July 2006 and OPAL first went critical at 11.25pm on 12 August 2006.

Construction of OPAL

The OPAL reactor service pool is craned into place.

Construction of OPAL

OPAL's reactor pool, delivered in 2005.

Construction of OPAL

The reflector vessel is lowered into the reactor pool, under the watchful eye of the media.

Official opening

On 20 April 2007, then Prime Minister, John Howard, officially opened the OPAL reactor. After unveiling a commemorative plaque, he congratulated ANSTO Board Chairman, Dr Ziggy Switkowski (right).

Politicians tour the reactor facility

The blue of the 13-metre deepreactor pool sits in vivid contrast to the inspection group, dressed in yellow safety clothing. From left to right, looking into OPAL: Dr Ziggy Switkowski, former Science Minister, Julie Bishop, former Prime Minister, John Howard, ANSTO Executive GM, Strategy, Government and International Relations, Dr Ron Cameron, and former ANSTO CEO, Dr Ian Smith.

Media interest

The opening of OPAL was an opportunity for world media to inspect the facilities and interview ANSTO executives, including former CEO, Dr Ian Smith.