Operation and utilisation of the high flux reactor : annual report 2005

The High Flux Reactor (HFR) at Petten is managed by the Institute for Energy (IE) of the EC - DG JRC and operated by NRG who are also licence holder and responsible for commercial activities. The HFR operates at 45 MW and is of the tank-in-pool type, light water cooled and moderated. It is one of the most powerful multi-purpose materials testing reactors in the world and one of the world leaders in target irradiation for the production of medical radioisotopes. In 2005 a new operation licence has been granted under the Dutch Nuclear Energy Law. In the beginning of the year, following a request of JRC, IAEA conducted a full-scope INSARR mission, which assessed and acknowledged the safety of the HFR. 2005 was also the year of the successful start of the progressive core conversion from high to low enriched uranium. Other 2005 highlights include: 299 operational days; 239 visits, including representatives from the neighbouring municipalities; Several European Networks managed; Various fusion and fi ssion related irradiation experiments carried out.