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THOR Introduction

An Introduction to Tsing Hua Open-pool Research Reactor (THOR)

THOR is a 2 MW, light water moderated and cooled reactor of the TRIGA conversion type. The average thermal neutron flux in the core is about 2×1013 n/cm2/sec at 2 MW. It is now the only nuclear research reactor that can provide stable and continuous bulk quantity of neutrons in Taiwan.

 

History

  • National Tsing Hua University was re-established in 1956 in Hsinchu after the Republic of China moved to Taiwan in 1949. The first academic program re-instated in the University was the graduate institute of nuclear science.
  • For the growing needs in nuclear education and research, the construction project of Tsing Hua Open-pool Reactor (THOR)  started in 1958. THOR reached its first criticality on April 13th of 1961.

 

Milestones:

  • Construction started in 1958
  • First criticality reached in 1961
  • Old analog control system upgraded to digital control system in 1993
  • Major core components replaced in 1998
  • Thermal power uprated from 1 MW to 2 MW in 1998
  • 1st Operation license renewed for ten more years in 2001
  • 2nd Operation license renewed for ten more years in 2011
  • 3rd Operation license renewed for ten more years in 2021
 
Key Parameters of THOR
 

Fuel

  TRIGA rod-type conversion fuel (UZrH1.6-Er) at 20% enrichment with a 235U critical mass of 9 kg.

Coolant

  Pure liquid light water without steam in the amount of 80,000 gallons

  Forced convection

Reactivity

  Control rod worth: 10. 297% (2013.11.20 updated)

  Excess reactivity: 5.503% (2013.11.20 updated)

Neutron Fluxes at 2 MW (n·cm-2·sec-1)

  Core thermal neutron flux (ft): 2.0´1013

  Core fast neutron flux: 1.3´1013

   ft at beamline exit：106 -109

Neutron Moderator and Reflector

  Pure light water and graphite

 

Current Operation Status

 

  • THOR currently operates at the power level below 2.0 MW with a utilization time of 8 hours/day, 5 days/week, and 45 weeks/year.
  • There are 9 operators at THOR, including 9 SROs.
  • THOR is one of the oldest 2-MW research reactors in the world that are still in operation.
  • THOR Annual Maintenance Budget is about 400,000 USD.
  • THOR Research Project Funding is about 1,100,000 USD.

 

Missions of THOR

 

  • Be engaged in nuclear reactor related research.

         Boron neutron capture therapy, neutron activation analysis, neutron scattering and diffraction, nuclear safety, aging management, power uprate etc.

  • Provide irradiation services.

         Materials characterization, archaeological dating, environmental trace element analysis, 131I isotope production 

  • Offer reactor training courses and nuclear energy related information upon request.

 

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