ANSTO celebrates 70 years

This month, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is celebrating its 70th year, and the 65th anniversary of the opening of the HIFAR nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights in NSW.

The Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC), the predecessor of ANSTO, was formally established by the Atomic Energy Act, which came into effect on 15 April 1953, and since then AAEC/ANSTO has developed to position Australia as one of the world’s most complex and sophisticated nuclear nations.

The legislation brought together all matters associated with atomic energy under one piece of legislation and enabled the development of a research reactor where atomic energy could be used for peaceful purposes.

The main responsibilities of the Commission, as outlined in the legislation, were to search for, mine and treat uranium in Australia with the power to buy and sell on behalf of the Australian Government; to develop practical uses of atomic energy by carrying out and assisting in research; constructing plant and equipment; employing and training staff; and collecting and distributing information on uranium and atomic energy.

One of the Commission’s earliest recommendations was an up-to-date survey of atomic energy developments overseas. This is a role that ANSTO continues today.

In that same period, a proposal that encompassed an Australian–UK program of collaboration, the establishment of research laboratories in Australia, and the commencement of research in selected fields of atomic energy technology were approved by the Australian Government.

In 1954, the Commission announced that an area of vacant crown land at Lucas Heights was the proposed site of the High Flux Australian reactor (HIFAR).

The 10 MW thermal high flux heavy water moderated reactor would have 58 experimental facilities and cooling ponds for the storage of used fuel elements.

The assembly of the reactor in the steel building shell commenced in mid-1956. The first stage of the building program was successfully completed in 1957–58, taking less than three years. About 3000 tonnes of concrete were poured into the foundation, and about 10 tonnes of heavy water surrounded the core.

Under the supervision of Chief Scientist Dr Charles Watson Munro, criticality was achieved at 11.15 pm on 26 January 1958 with 11 of the maximum 25 fuel elements in the core. The reactor was not taken up to full power until October 1960.

The Prime Minister at the time, Robert Menzies, officially opened HIFAR on 18 April 1958.

The purpose of HIFAR was to produce neutrons from the fission of uranium for scientific research, as well as to be a centre of learning for training engineers and scientists.

HIFAR operated safely and efficiently for close to 50 years. It produced its first medical isotope, sodium-24, in 1960. Sodium was used for research at the time, and later as a tracer in pregnant women to measure the transfer of sodium to the foetus.

Permanent decommissioning of HIFAR commenced in 2007, having been replaced by the 20 MW Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) reactor.

Although the reactor is quiet today in the shadow of OPAL, its history laid the foundation for Australia’s nuclear expertise.

Image: HIFAR. Source: ANSTO.