Research reactors comprise a wide range of civil and commercial nuclear reactors which are generally not used for power generation. The primary purpose of research reactors is to provide a neutron source for non-distructive testing, analysis and testing of materials, production of radioisotopes, research and public outreach and education. They are small relative to commercial power reactors whose primary function is to produce heat to make electricity (typically 10 kW - 10 MW, ~1/1000 the size of commercial reactors) . The total power of the world's 283 research reactors is little over 3000 MW. A nuclear reactor is a device in which nuclear chain reactions are initiated, controlled, and sustained at a steady rate (as opposed to a nuclear explosion, where the chain reaction occurs in a split second). ... Properties In physics, the neutron is a subatomic particle with no net electric charge and a mass of 939. ... A radionuclide is an atom with an unstable nucleus. ...

Research reactors are simpler than power reactors and operate at lower temperatures. They need far less fuel, and far less fission products build up as the fuel is used. On the other hand, their fuel requires more highly enriched uranium, typically up to 20% U235, although some older ones use 93% U-235. They also have a very high power density in the core, which requires special design features. Like power reactors, the core needs cooling (typically natural or forced convection with water), and a moderator is required to slow down the neutrons and enhance fission. As neutron production is their main function, most research reactors benefit from reflectors to reduce neutron loss from the core. Enriched uranium is uranium whose uranium-235 content has been increased through the process of isotope separation. ... Moderator can refer to one of the following: neutron moderator moderator (communications) - Message Board Moderator The chairperson of a church court in Presbyterian churches (see Moderator of the General Assembly). ...

See Also

• SLOWPOKE reactor
• Miniature Neutron Source Reactor
• Aqueous Homogeneous Reactor
• Argonaut class reactor
• DIDO
• PLUTO reactor
• JASON reactor
• MOATA
• Petten nuclear reactor
• OPAL
• TRIGA

Aqueous Homogenous Reactors are a type of nuclear reactor in which soluble nuclear salts (usually uranium sulfate or uranium nitrate) have been dissolved in water. ... In Greek and Roman sources Elissa or Dido appears as the founder and first Queen of Carthage in Tunisia. ... PLUTO was a nuclear reactor at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell, Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom, one of five reactors on the site. ... JASON was a nuclear reactor installed by the Ministry of Defence at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London. ... MOATA is a small 100kW experimental reactor that went critical at 5:50am on 10 April 1961 and ended operations on 31 May 1995. ... The Petten nuclear reactor is meant for research and therefore does not provide any electricity. ... OPAL (Open Pool Australian Lightwater reactor) is a reactor under construction (as of 2005) at the ANSTO Research Establishment at Lucas Heights, near Sydney, Australia. ... TRIGA is a class of small nuclear reactor designed and manufactured by General Atomics of the USA. TRIGA is an acronym of Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics. This type of reactor can be installed without a containment building, and is designed for use by scientific institutions and universities for purposes...

Reference

UIC Nuclear Issues Briefing Paper # 66