Historically the highly enriched uranium (HEU) fuel for the reactor was produced on-site from the South African HEU inventory. The conversion of the SAFARI-1 reactor to low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel was completed in 2009. Spent fuel from the reactor is stored in the reactor pool for short periods after which it is transferred to a dry underground storage facility on site.<\/p>

Initially SAFARI-1 provided many academic degrees (PhD\u2019s), other research papers and research programmes provide opportunities in research over the years and also many products and services both locally and internationally to various industrial and institutional sectors, proving that nuclear technology does indeed offer many beneficial applications in public community and continue still today. \u00a0In 1998 SAFARI-1 was awarded the prestigious SABS ISO 9001 certificate for compliance to international quality standards. At the time, it was the second nuclear reactor in the world to receive this award. The ISO 9001 accreditation then recognizes the ability of SAFARI-1 to operate as a production facility within the international safety standards of design and production in providing quality products and services to industry for the local and international community.<\/p>

SAFARI-1 had subsequently in 2003 also received the SABS ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certificate. \u00a0SAFARI-1 utilizes an overall Quality Management System (QMS) which not only encompasses environmental controls but also includes product quality radiological and conventional safety and security systems. Furthermore, it became one of the first research reactors in the world to achieve all three certifications by receiving in 2011 also the OHSAS 18001 certification for occupational health and safety.<\/p>

The SAFARI-1 research reactor became one of Necsa\u2019s cornerstone facilities especially during the mid 1990\u2019s where it\u2019s main application was to be a cost sustainable facility operating as a commercial production facility of radioisotopes and rendering of irradiation services to all stakeholders. During this time period, moving away from a Monday to Friday research operating programme and a low utilised reactor, the utilization become extremely high and the reactor reaches after 30 years of operations the first 1 Million Mega Watt hours (1000GWh) in 1995 of total energy production since first startup, then 8.8 years later in 2003 the 2 Million MWh (2000GWh) and then 7 years later in 2011 the 3 Million MWh (3000GWh), shows the significant change in utilisation and SAFARI-1 is now approaching the 4 Million MWh (4000GWh). Ofcourse this also demands a specially qualified and skilled workforce to support the operational programme in all disciples of engineering, nuclear science, maintenance, operations, radiation protection, regulatory and licensing, conventional and nuclear safety, quality and environment aspects, waste management as well as security. The last 21 years since 1996 required a high utilization for commercial purposes.<\/p>

The main features are briefly discussed below:<\/p>

1965:<\/b> First criticality in March 1965 – after which the reactor operated at 6.67 MW thermal power using HEU fuel of US origin with an enrichment of 93%.<\/p>

1968:<\/b> The reactor was shut down for approximately 9 months to upgrade the heat removal systems for 20 MW operation.<\/p>

1977:<\/b> Due to political pressure the US fuel supply to SAFARI-1 was stopped, prompting a reduction in reactor operation to 5\u00a0MW and during weekdays only.<\/p>

1981:<\/b> Locally manufactured Medium Enriched Uranium (45% Enriched) fuel was supplied for the first time. The reactor continued to be operated at 5 MW on a weekday schedule for the next 12 years.<\/p>

1988:<\/b> The reactor was shut down for an extended period of 6 months to effect repairs to the pool liners.<\/p>

1993:<\/b> The start of a commercially oriented utilization programme led, for the first time in 16 years to a progressive increase in reactor power higher than 5 MW. Initially, at 10 MW but between 1995 and 2000 the power was further increased to 18 MW average, and ultimately to 20\u00a0MW over the last 10 years.<\/p>

1994:<\/b> Enrichment of locally produced fuel elements was changed from MEU to HEU, with a 235 U content of 200g.<\/p>

1995:<\/b>One million MWh (1000GWh) total energy production since first start up.<\/p>

2000:<\/b> The 235 U content in locally manufactured HEU fuel elements was increased from 200g to 300g.<\/p>

2003:<\/b> Two million MWh (2000 GWh) total energy production since first start up.<\/p>

2007:<\/b> The first two LEU lead test fuel elements (340g of 19.75% enriched 235 U) were successfully irradiated in the core.<\/p>

2008:<\/b> Core conversion to LEU started.<\/p>

2009:<\/b> LEU conversion of the core was completed and regulatory approval for continuous loading of LEU fuel was obtained in August 2009.<\/p>

2009:<\/b> Three million MWh (3000 GWh) total energy production since first start up.<\/p>

2010:<\/b> SAFARI-1 staff and operation responsibilities were seconded to Nuclear Technology Products PTY (Ltd).<\/p>

2010:<\/b> Regulatory approval for commercial production of 99 Mo from LEU target plates was granted.<\/p>

2018:<\/b> Currently on 3.86 million MWh total energy production since first start up.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t