Ghana Research Reactor-1

GHARR-1

Accra, Ghana

Operating Institution| Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Location| Accra, Ghana
Coordinates|  [ ⚑ ] : 5°33′N 0°12′W﻿ / ﻿5.55°N 0.2°W﻿ / 5.55; -0.2
Type| Miniature Neutron Source Reactor
Power| 30 kW (thermal)
Construction and Upkeep
Construction Began| 1994
Time to Construct| 1 year
First Criticality| December 17, 1994
Annual Upkeep Cost| 1.5 M $US
Technical Specifications
Max Thermal Flux| 1.012 s−1 cm−2
Max Fast Flux| 1.2·1012 s−1 cm−2
Cooling| Light water
Neutron Moderator| Light water
Neutron Reflector| Beryllium

The Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) is a nuclear research reactor located in Accra, Ghana and is the only nuclear reactor in the country. It is operated by the National Nuclear Research Institute, a sub-division of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. The reactor is a commercial version of the Chinese Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) design. The reactor had its first criticality on December 17, 1994.[1]

## Contents

* 1 Description
* 2 Conversion to low enriched uranium
* 3 See also
* 4 References

## Description

GHARR-1 is a light water reactor with a maximum thermal power of 30 kW, a maximum thermal flux of 1012 s−1cm−2, and a maximum fast flux of 1.2·1012 s−1cm−2.[2] Beryllium is used as a reflector and the reactor is cooled by natural convection.[1] Low enriched fuel is used, although the reactor was initially designed for 90.2% enriched uranium.[3] The reactor core has 347 fuel rods.

The reactor is mainly used as a research tool, including for neutron activation analysis and reactor physics experiments.[4] Research has indicated that GHARR-1 could be used to produce the radionuclide Technetium-99 in the future.[5] It is also used for education of university students at the University of Ghana School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences.

## Conversion to low enriched uranium

The miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR) design originally operated with high enriched uranium (HEU), typically 90% uranium-235 or greater. In 2006, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) developed a Collaborative Research Project (CRP) and eventually a MNSR working group to coordinate conversion to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel,[6] typically defined as lower than 20% Uranium-235. HEU is associated with increased proliferation risks, as it can be more easily diverted to non-peaceful uses of atomic energy than LEU. The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission is a member of the MNSR working group, and has successfully transitioned GHARR-1 to low enriched fuel.

Ghana was the first country outside of China to successfully convert their MNSR reactor to LEU.[7] The HEU core was removed in August 2016[3] and the operation was completed in 2017.[6] The original nuclear fuel was UAl4 with Al-303-1 cladding while the new LEU fuel is uranium dioxide at 13% enrichment with Zircaloy-4 cladding.[8]

## See also

* Nuclear energy in Ghana
* Research reactor
* Miniature neutron source reactor

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 BSS, IAEA - MTIT -. "Header Information - RRDB - IAEA". https://nucleus.iaea.org/RRDB/RR/HeaderInfo.aspx?RId=590.
2. ↑ "Ghana, Republic of: Research Reactor Details - GHARR-1". http://www-naweb.iaea.org/napc/physics/research_reactors/database/rr data base/datasets/report/Ghana, Republic of Research Reactor Details - GHARR-1.htm.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Ghanaian reactor at full power after fuel conversion". http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Ghanaian-reactor-at-full-power-after-fuel-conversion-1108174.html.
4. ↑ Amuasi, J. H.; Schandorf, C.; Yeboah, J.. "Safety of Ghana Research Reactor (GHARR-1)". https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/pub1120/CD/PDF/Issue4/CN-82-05.pdf.
5. ↑ Akaho, E. H. K.; Maaku, B. T.; Anim-Sampong, S. (1998). "A mathematical model for predicting activities of 99Mo, 99mTc and 99Tc: with application to Ghana Research Reactor-1". Ghana Journal of Chemistry 4 (1): 7–13. ISSN 0855-0484. http://inis.iaea.org/Search/search.aspx?orig_q=RN:30036450.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 (IAEA), International Atomic Energy Agency. "MNSR - IAEA NEFW". https://www.iaea.org/OurWork/ST/NE/NEFW/Technical-Areas/RRS/mnsr.html.
7. ↑ "Supporting Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Ghana Converts Research Reactor from HEU to LEU Fuel". 2017-08-29. https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/supporting-nuclear-non-proliferation-ghana-converts-research-reactor-from-heu-to-leu-fuel.
8. ↑ Odoi, H. C.; Gbadago, J. K.; Abrefah, R. G.; Birikorang, S. A.; Sogbadjo, B. B. M.; Ampomah-Amoako, E.; Morman, J.. "Efforts Made for the Conversion of Ghana's MNSR to LEU". 35th International Meeting on Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors. http://www.rertr.anl.gov/RERTR35/pdfs/S1P3_Paper_Odoi.pdf.

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