Chairman of Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC), Dr. Khaled Toukan announced that JAEC has just completed the hot commissioning tests of the Jordan Research and Training Reactor (JRTR) which has been constructed on the Jordan University for Science and Technology campus since 2010,
The reactor would be presented to the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) in November in preparation for the issuance of the reactor, which has proven over the seven months of hot commissioning performance without problems or obstacles license .
The project contains, in addition to the reactor and service buildings, a training center and radioactive waste treatment facility. The scientific facilities include radioisotope production hot cells to be used in medical applications, neutron activation analysis for material and forensic medicine analysis, beam ports and a thermal column. They will be utilized for material science and other scientific research as well as performing three-dimensional neutron radiography using the neutron imaging technique, The JRTR has been designed to operate at 5 MW maximum capacities
Dr. Toukan stressed the importance of the reactor primarily for the purposes of research, education and training and the production of medical and industrial isotopes in addition to the many peaceful applications that advance scientific and technical level in the Kingdom.
Dr Toukan displayed the sequence of the process of creating the reactor and the stages of construction and operation down to tests hot commissioning of the reactor stage, he said that work on the project began in 2010, where earthworks began after he completed most of the basic studies required for the project for the site, which includes a training and development center building to train students and engineers in various fields and building a nuclear reactor which contains experiments and systems research and studies of material composition, minerals and photographed triple dimensions by neutrons Hall.
He continued after the construction work is completed and the work of installation of the devices and nuclear systems the cold commissioning (without loading the nuclear fuel) started on April 25, 2015 after which the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) issued the permit to load the nuclear fuel in order to enter into the hot commissioning phase on April 21 based on their comprehensive reviews for all the JAEC reports.
The full power was attained at 5 MW and all the reactor performance tests were done successfully and the JRTR was operated at the full power of 5 MW for two continuous weeks “without experiencing any trip (automatic shutdown) or encountering any abnormality”. “…The continuous operation at full power proves that the reactor is functioning in a perfect way,” the statement concluded, adding that EMRC experts will review all the reports submitted by JAEC and approve their conformity with the valid regulations in order to conclude the issuance of the Operating License to JAEC within this month, subject to specific operating conditions.
The two foreign consultant groups have been working with EMRC, namely the Korean Institute of Nuclear Safety and the US group (AdSTM) that helped in the verification of the integrity of the test results and conformity with the preset acceptance criteria. Also the JAEC Safety Committee, which comprises of local independent experts, has contributed to the analysis and evaluation of the test results
Dr. Toukan pointed to a joint cooperation agreement signed by JAEC and the Royal Medical Services to work hand in hand in all areas related to the production of radioactive isotopes for medical purposes including the processes of quality control and marketing of products, pharmaceutical and radioactive benefiting from the accumulated experience and capacity built over a long period of time at the RMS.
Note:
EMRC is a monitoring body that offers licenses to nuclear facilities
The main goal of the EMRC is to work, in coordination with relevant bodies, on achieving the following:
• Regulating and monitoring the use of nuclear energy and ionized radiation.
• Protecting environment and human health and property from the hazards of radiation and related pollution.
• Ensuring the availability of conditions and requirements of general safety, radiation protection, and nuclear safety and security
JAEC:
The Commission works to implement the vision and overall strategy of a peaceful nuclear energy program and the various application stages leading to the production of electricity using nuclear reactors, and using them as principal source for desalination of water.
Dr khaled Toukan:
Khaled Toukan is the current chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, he served previously as the Minister of Energy for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2011), Minister of Education (2000-2008), and as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (2001–2002).
Toukan was the president of Al-Balqa` Applied University from (1997–2001). He also held the position of Acting Dean of Faculty of Engineering & Technology and Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Jordan, currently he is a member of the university’s Board of Trustees, Research Scientist at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Associate Research Scientist at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia.
Toukan is a Member of the International High Level EFA Group, a member of H.M. King Abdullah II Economic Consultative Council, Acting Director of SESAME, and the Jordan representative to SESAME Council and Vice –Chairman.
