Advanced Test Reactor Meeting international nuclear energy research challenges

daho National Laboratory’s effects of intense neutron nuclear research and gamma radiation on Icapabilities rely heavily on reactor materials and fuels. the Advanced Test Reactor NATIONAL SECURITY (ATR), located at the ATR Over the years, ATR has Complex on the INL Site, provided vital irradiation 47 miles west of Idaho Falls. The Advanced Test testing capability supporting Reactor, with its unique cloverleaf fuel As the national laboratory the U.S. Navy’s nuclear arrangement, forms for the U.S. Department of propulsion program. The DESIGN FEATURES an essential part of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Navy remains a key customer ATR’s unique serpentine INL’s nuclear energy Energy (DOE-NE), INL serves of ATR and testing has research capability. core allows the reactor’s a key role in U.S. nuclear contributed to the exceptional corner lobes to be operated energy research initiatives and operational performance of at different power levels, programs, such as the National the nuclear-powered fleet. making it possible to conduct Reactor Innovation Center. REACTOR TYPE multiple simultaneous MANY USES ATR is a one-of-a-kind experiments under different ATR’s capabilities and pressurized water test reactor. testing conditions. infrastructure are accessible As a test reactor, it operates Other key features: through various programs at very low pressures and that support the U.S. and temperatures compared to • Large test volumes— international nuclear research a large commercial nuclear up to 48 inches long and efforts. ATR is the only U.S. power plant. Instead of 5.25 inches in diameter research reactor capable heat, the main product of a • 77 test positions of providing large-volume, test reactor is the neutrons available within the core/ high-flux thermal neutron it produces. ATR uses a reflector assembly irradiation in a prototype beryllium reflector to help • High neutron flux environment. The reactor’s concentrate neutrons in the enables accelerated singular design makes core, where they are needed testing for fuel and it possible to study the for fuels and materials testing. materials development COMMERCIAL POWER REACTOR ADVANCED TEST REACTOR Confinement structure Confinement structure Operating conditions Operating conditions 2250 psia 360 psia 600° F (3,400 MW thermal) 160° F (250 MW thermal) Reactor core Reactor core 12 x 12 feet (1,700 cubic feet) 4 x 4 feet (50 cubic feet) 200,000 pounds of uranium 95 pounds of uranium

Energy Agency (IAEA) International Center of Excellence based on Research Reactors (ICERR) standard. Key ATR parameters compared with those INVESTING IN THE FUTURE of a commercial ATR employs a unique pressurized water reactor design in which key internal components can be completely replaced every 10-16 years to enable long- • Fast/thermal flux ratios ISOTOPE PRODUCTION term operations; numerous ranging from 0.1 – 1.0 ATR is the only U.S. source of upgrades and improvements • Constant axial the valuable medical grade have been done since ATR power profile cobalt-60 isotope needed entered service in 1967. • Power tilt capability for for “gamma knife” therapy The Department of Energy experiments in same used to treat brain tumors, is continuing to invest in operating cycle and produces plutonium-238 infrastructure upgrades on for NASA’s deep space the reactor and key plant • Frequent experiment exploration missions. facilities to ensure ATR can changes continue to serve the nation’s Core internals replacement COLLABORATIVE • needs for decades to come. every 10-16 years RESEARCH • Solid stainless-steel ATR’s capabilities are an This planning includes the FOR MORE INFORMATION reactor vessel essential part of efforts to procurement and availability support nuclear energy of critical spare parts, • Seismic shutdown system research and development including one-of-a-kind General contact NUCLEAR ENERGY in the U.S. and around the components such as core Joseph Campbell Experiments conducted at world. ATR capabilities are internal components and 208-533-4679 ATR provide a critical look accessible to universities, beryllium reflectors. Planning [email protected] at reactor components and industry and international also addresses staffing systems. Testing at ATR partners through DOE’s requirements and identifies www.inl.gov supports reactor research Nuclear Science User Facilities, the funding, schedule, and around the world to extend the Gateway for Accelerated prioritization for replacing key the life of current nuclear Innovation in Nuclear, components and systems. power plants, develop and the National Reactor A U.S. Department of Energy designs for the reactors of the Innovation Center, as well as National Laboratory future, and test new types of other research partnerships. stronger nuclear fuels that ATR’s capabilities are also reduce waste generation key to INL’s certification to and proliferation risks. the International Atomic

20-50442_003_R3 (Updated: 2021)