Safety Management and Effective Utilization of Indian Research Reactors

These research reactors have played very important role in developing India’s nuclear energy programme and in establishing the safety basis for the related activities. Due to diversity in their design, operating power levels and utilization aspects, a slightly flexible and graded approach is necessary for managing safety in these research reactors. Special attention is necessary on account of several irradiations and experiments that are carried out in these facilities. For ensuring continued safety during the operating life of the research reactors a well planned safety management system is in place. The paper outlines the safety management system practised in these research reactors with details of its essential elements. Some important utilization of research reactors Apsara, Cirus and Dhruva, modifications incorporated and up gradation proposed to enhance utilization are also described. Research Reactors Apsara, Cirus and Dhruva are located at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India. Apsara, a swimming pool type reactor with maximum design power of 1MWth is in operatio