Research Reactor 'Hanaro' Automatically Shuts Down Due to Hydrogen Pressure Anomaly

Nuclear Research Institute: "Hydrogen Pressure Increased at Cold Neutron Source Experimental Facility, Triggering Shutdown Signal"
Only Domestic Medical Radioisotope Production Halted

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The research reactor 'Hanaro' at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute automatically shut down on the afternoon of the 1st, and the institute is currently investigating the cause.

According to the institute, Hanaro automatically shut down around 5:43 PM the previous day due to a shutdown signal triggered by abnormal hydrogen pressure in the cold neutron source experimental facility.

The institute stated, "We plan to identify the detailed cause of the Hanaro reactor shutdown together with the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission investigation team and implement improvements."

Meanwhile, Hanaro is the only high-performance multipurpose research reactor in Korea, designed and constructed by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, with a thermal output of 30 MW. It began its 101st operational cycle on the 22nd of last month and was scheduled to complete it on the 20th of this month. Hanaro operates for 4 weeks per cycle, undergoing maintenance for 2 to 3 weeks each cycle. Hanaro is widely used for producing radioactive isotopes and neutron applications. Previously, Hanaro completed its 100th operational cycle from May 7th to the 2nd of this month.

Hanaro produces I-131 used in radiopharmaceuticals for pediatric cancer treatment, which is sufficient to meet the entire domestic demand for mIBG, a radiopharmaceutical for pediatric cancer treatment.

Industrial nondestructive testing source Ir-192, which had been dependent on imports, was scheduled to produce 30,000 curies during this 101st cycle, and the development of production technology for the therapeutic isotope Lu-177, whose demand is increasing both domestically and internationally, was also planned to be actively pursued. Additionally, 48 experiments using neutron beams, such as analyzing fine dust pollution sources, were scheduled to be conducted by domestic academia and industry.

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