Open Pool Australian Lightwater Reactor

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The Open Pool Australian Light Water Reactor ( OPAL ) is a research reactor, which is operated since 2006 by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. It is located about 31 kilometers southwest of the center of Sydney in Lucas Heights. It is a light water reactor with one of the most advanced neutron scattering facilities that was built by the Argentine high-technology companies INVAP.

History

The reactor was first critically on 12 August 2006, reaching on 3 November 2006, the full power of 20 MW. It is used in addition to purposes of research for the production of radioactive medicinal preparations. It replaces the operated since 1958 research reactor HIFAR who went out of service on 30 January 2007.

Since June of 2007, several problems in carrying out routine maintenance, so that the reactor was shut down in May 2008. In 2010, the reactor was at 286 days in operation.