China’s first Miniature Neutron Sources Reactor (MNSR) has passed all tests and has started operating at full power after being modified to use low enriched uranium (LEU) as fuel, Chinese media reported on 28 March, quoting the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence. This is the first time China has replaced a traditional high-enriched uranium reactor core with a low-enriched one, said Xu Dazhe, head of China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). Xu added that the reactor was a result of China-US nuclear security cooperation. The project was jointly initiated in 2011 between CAEA and the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory. CAEA said it will share information with other countries on its experiences during the operation, to help enhance nuclear security globally.The reactor will be used for testing nuclear instruments, teaching and training purposes, while producing some isotopes, the CAEA said.
China’s first Miniature Neutron Sources Reactor (MNSR) has passed all tests and has started operating at full power after being modified to use low enriched uranium (LEU) as fuel, Chinese media reported on 28 March, quoting the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence. This is the first time China has replaced a traditional high-enriched uranium reactor core with a low-enriched one, said Xu Dazhe, head of China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). Xu added that the reactor was a result of China-US nuclear security cooperation. The project was jointly initiated in 2011 between CAEA and the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory. CAEA said it will share information with other countries on its experiences during the operation, to help enhance nuclear security globally.The reactor will be used for testing nuclear instruments, teaching and training purposes, while producing some isotopes, the CAEA said.