Current utilization and long term strategy of the Finnish TRIGA research reactor FiR 1

Iiro Auterinen, Seppo Salmenhaara

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsProfessional

    Abstract

    The Finnish Triga reactor, FiR 1, has been in operation since 1962. From its early days the reactor created versatile research to support both the national nuclear program as well as generally the industry and health care sector. The volume of neutron activation analysis was impressive in the 70’s and 80’s. Production of short lived isotopes for tracer studies is still an important application of the reactor with increasing amounts of isotopes produced, normally twice a week. In the 1990’s a Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) treatment facility was build at the FiR 1 reactor. The treatment environment is of world top quality after a major renovation of the whole reactor building in 1997. Over 150 patient irradiations have been performed since May 1999. FiR 1 is one of the few facilities in the world providing this kind of treatments. Due to the BNCT project FiR 1 has become an important research and education unit for medical physics. Education and training play also a role at FiR 1 in the form of university courses and training of nuclear industry personnel. A long term strategy is being worked out for FiR 1 by VTT and its proprietor the Ministry of Employment and the Economy supported by an independent survey of an outside consultant. The independent survey recommends operation of the reactor till 2016 to enable continuation of the promising development of the BNCT treatment in parallel of developing accelerator based neutron sources for this treatment.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 4th World TRIGA Users Conference
    Publication statusPublished - 2008
    MoE publication typeD3 Professional conference proceedings
    Event4th World Triga Users Conference - Lyon, France
    Duration: 8 Sept 200810 Sept 2008

    Conference

    Conference4th World Triga Users Conference
    Country/TerritoryFrance
    CityLyon
    Period8/09/0810/09/08

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Current utilization and long term strategy of the Finnish TRIGA research reactor FiR 1'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this