Progress in Developing the Concept for the Irradiation Research Facility

Abstract

At the 16th annual Canadian Nuclear Society conference, AECL presented the case for replacing the NRU reactor with an Irradiation Research Facility (IRF) to test CANDU fuels and materials and to perform advanced materials research using neutrons. AECL developed a cost estimate of 500 million for the reference IRF concept, and estimated that it would require 87 months to complete. AECL has initiated a pre-project program to develop the IRF concept to minimize uncertainties related to feasibility and licensability, and to examine options for reducing the overall project cost before project implementation begins.