Annual report of the Neutron Irradiation and Testing Reactor Center FY 2007; April 1, 2007 - March 31, 2008

Neutron Irradiation and Testing Reactor Center

The Japan Materials Testing Reactor (JMTR), achieving first criticality in March 1968, has been used in testing the durability and integrity of reactor fuels and components, basic nuclear research, the production of radioisotopes (RIs), and other purposes. The JMTR, however, was halted in August 2006 after its 165th cycle operation, and is currently going partial renewal of the apparatus and installation of new irradiation equipment, geared toward being restarted in 2011. In addition, to cope with the strong requests from users for improved usability of the JMTR, efforts are being made to increase reactor operating efficiency, shorten the turnaround time for obtaining results, and conduct other necessary tasks for JMTR to commence reoperation. The present report summarizes the activities carried out in 2007 for the refurbishment and restart of JMTR.