{"id":44,"date":"2018-05-29T08:22:02","date_gmt":"2018-05-29T06:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ric.ijs.si\/?page_id=44"},"modified":"2020-11-16T15:59:33","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T13:59:33","slug":"pogosta-vprasanja","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ric.ijs.si\/en\/pogosta-vprasanja\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs the reactor safe?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
The concept of TRIGA<\/a><\/strong> reactors was developed in early 50's. This reactor is not designed to produce energy (like nuclear power plant) but to produce neutrons. For this reason it is small in size (cylinder, 40cmx40cm) and in power (250kW). It is cooled by water at normal pressure and room temperature. It is inherently safe: no operator mistake or equipment failure can result in fuel damage. Even if the fuel was damaged (e.g. cladding rupture) only a small fraction (10-5 or one thousandth of a percent) of radioactive products would escape due to special, highly resistant fuel material (zirconium hydride).\n
\nThere have been more than 40 TRIGA reactors operating all over the world for 40 years without a single reactor accident. Reactors like ours are normally built as part of university laboratories in the campuses.<\/strong> Even in Austria, where perception of nuclear energy is highly critical, a twin reactor to ours is located in the middle of Vienna, in Prater.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Before we answer, we should ask ourselves:\n
\"Do you know any country that has a nuclear power station but no research reactor?\"<\/blockquote><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo you know any country that has a nuclear power station but no research reactor?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

However, to make an appropriate well founded answer we have to compare costs and benefits.

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Costs:<\/h6>

The reactor is not a big economic burden to the country, as until now we succeeded to cover all major investments by the help of foreign sponsors. Construction costs were mainly covered by the IAEA technical assistance funds. Fuel elements are donation (free of charge) of the German Government. Spent fuel shipment and disposal in USA was paid by the US Government. Actual costs include only maintenance, material costs (including electricity, water, physical protection, etc) and cost of work.<\/p>

Yearly budget of the TRIGA reactor is approximately equal to the price of electricity produced in Kr\u0161ko NPP in one day<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>

Benefits:<\/h6>

General meaning:<\/strong>

The reactor has played important role in developing nuclear technology and safety culture in Slovenia<\/strong> It has been one of a few centres of modern technology in the country. Its international cooperation and reputation is important for promotion of J. Stefan Institute, Slovenian science and Slovenia<\/strong> in the world.


Training<\/strong><\/p>