Features of the Philippine Research Reactor-1 (PRR-1) Subcritical Assembly for Training, Education, and Research (SATER)

Abstract

This paper presents key features of the recently commissioned Philippine Research Reactor-1 (PRR-1) Subcritical Assembly for Training, Education, and Research (SATER) facility at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI). The facility will be utilized for nuclear science education and research, hence, it is essential to demonstrate that it will be operated safely. The nuclear criticality and radiological parameters of PRR-1 SATER were computationally assessed using the MCNP radiation transport code. Results show that all possible configuration of the 44 nuclear fuel rods in the core will remain subcritical with at least 4347 pcm margin. While dose calculations demonstrate that, even with conservative assumptions, potential exposure to the PRR-1 SATER will result in a total dose of 1.5 mSv which is well below the dose limits for radiation workers.