FiR 1 Reactor and the spent fuel management

The FiR 1-reactor, a 250 kW Triga reactor, has been in operation since 1962. The main purpose to run the reactor has been lately the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). According to the current operating license of our reactor we have to achieve a binding agreement between our Research Centre and either the domestic Nuclear Power Companies about the possibility to use the Olkiluoto final disposal facility for our spent fuel or USDOE about the return of our spent fuel back to USA. If we want to continue the reactor operation beyond the year 2006, the domestic final disposal is the only possibility. At the moment the domestic final disposal is the primary alternative, but it seems still to be reasonable to be prepared to both possibilities: the domestic final disposal and the return to the USA offered by USDOE. Because the cost estimates of the both possibilities are on the same order of magnitude, the future of the reactor itself will decide, which of the spent fuel policies will be obeyed. In less than two years' time it will be reviewed, if the results of the BNC treatments are satisfactory for the continuation of the treatments. If the BNCT and other irradiations develop satisfactorily and seem to have positive future, the reactor can be kept in operation beyond the year 2006 and the domestic final disposal will be implemented. If, however, the development of the BNCT will not develop positively and there will be lack of money, there is no reason to continue the operation of the reactor and the choice of USDOE alternative is natural.