Training material on TRIGA Research Reactors

The unique characteristics of the TRIGA fuel (such as pulsing capabilities) are not generally applicable to other fuels (i.e. MTR reactors).

Target user:
The expected audience for this training consists of designated, certified or licensed reactor operators, operator trainees and regulators with some experience in nuclear reactor facilities and operations. The module on TRIGA REACTOR CHARACTERISTICS describes the general design, characteristics and parameters of TRIGA reactors and fuel. Much of this information should be incorporated into any reactor operator training program and, in many cases, the facility Safety Analysis Report.

The module on PHYSICS AND KINETICS OF TRIGA REACTORS is written as an introduction to reactor physics for reactor operators. It assumes the reader has a basic, fundamental knowledge of physics, materials and mathematics.

The objective is to provide enough reactor theory knowledge to safely operate a typical research reactor.

The module on TRIGA REACTOR MAIN SYSTEMS describes the main systems of low power ( < 2 MW) and higher power ( ³ 2 MW) TRIGA reactors.

The most significant difference between the two are that forced reactor cooling and an emergency core cooling system are generally required for the higher power TRIGA reactors.

The module on IN-SERVICE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR LOW-POWER RESEARCH REACTORS may be used to extend the existing maintenance program to other, essential or non-essential facility systems.

It may also provide guidance to those facilities that require an improved maintenance program.

Quality LevelExplanation of Terms

• Authoritative: All information in the resource has been verified by authorities as indicated.
• Quality-checked: All information in the resource has been quality-checked as indicated.
• Not quality-checked: Although the information in the resource may come from peer-reviewed journals or other high-quality sources, it has not undergone subsequent quality checking before incorporation in the resource.

: Quality-checked by NS Professional staff
CompletenessExplanation of Terms

• Comprehensive:The resource includes all items in the category for which the resource was created.
• Selective: The resource includes only selected items in the category for which the resource was created, with the process or basis for the selection as indicated.

: Comprehensive
Update FrequencyExplanation of Terms

• Updated continually: A conscientious effort is made to add new information immediately and keep the resource up-to-date on a day-by-day basis.
• Updated periodically: The resource is updated on a schedule. Common values are monthly, quarterly, annually or biennially, but others are also used.
• Updated occasionally: The resource is updated now and then, but not on a schedule.
• Static: The resource is a one-off creation with no plans for updates, or a resource that was updated in the past but has now been frozen with no new input planned.

: Static