ANSTO's OPAL reactor is one of the world's most advanced and reliable research reactors today. To ensure we can continue operating OPAL safely and reliably and maximise utilisation, ANSTO must regularly carry out maintenance and upgrades.
A key driver of this planned shutdown is replacing the reactor's unique cold neutron source (CNS), which has an operational life of 15 years. The replacement cold neutron source offers increased scientific performance.
Throughout its life, teams will work to upgrade OPAL’s functionality to improve its performance and ensure that ANSTO can continue delivering scientific, health, and industry benefits to Australia. ANSTO will keep stakeholders informed of the OPAL shutdown before, during, and after maintenance and upgrades are completed.
Project updates
Monday 30 September 2024
OPAL reactor back to full operations
ANSTO is pleased to report that the OPAL multi-purpose reactor is back to full operations, following the planned long shutdown.
This first-of-a-kind project was the most significant maintenance and upgrade program in OPAL’s 17-year history. Replacing both the First Reactor Protection System (FRPS) and Cold Neutron Source (CNS) was a highly complex and challenging engineering program.
To learn more and see behind-the-scenes photos, please visit here.
Past project updates
Friday 20 September 2024
OPAL reactor return to power update
A key driver of this shutdown was replacing the reactor's unique Cold Neutron Source (CNS), which had reached the end of its operational life. The complex work of installing, positioning and connecting the CNS is now completed.
Return to service activities are now underway with the reassembly of components within the reactor pool.
Based on the latest information and with safety guiding every decision, we are currently on schedule for a return to power the week commencing Monday 30 September, with routine operations planned to resume that week.
ANSTO will continue to post regular updates throughout the remainder of this program.
Friday 19 July 2024
Important extension to OPAL shutdown schedule
Based on the latest available data, and with safety continuing to drive every decision, the OPAL team is expecting a return to power by end September.
The highly complex operation of replacing the Cold Neutron Source (CNS) continues with our team currently working through an extremely technically difficult part of the program, which is reconnecting the CNS pipework to the reactor. While we have mobilised all available resources to solve this technical challenge as quickly as possible, the complex engineering processes are taking time to implement. Ensuring the highest safety standards remains our priority.
ANSTO will continue to post regular updates throughout the remainder of the program.
Monday 8 July 2024
OPAL shutdown schedule update
ANSTO is now 17 weeks into the most significant maintenance and upgrade program in the OPAL reactor’s 17-year history. Based on the latest available data, and with safety continuing to drive every decision, the OPAL team is working toward a recommencement of operations around mid-September.
A key driver of the planned long shutdown is the replacement of the reactor’s unique Cold Neutron Source (CNS). As the highly complex operation progresses, major milestones have been reached, however, a number of unforeseen technical challenges have resulted in a series of accumulated delays. The team is currently working through a technically difficult part of the program, which is reconnecting the CNS pipework to the reactor. ANSTO has mobilised every available resource to solve this technical challenge as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest of safety standards.
ANSTO remains committed to informing all our customers of its planned long shutdown developments. This project is evolving continuously with ANSTO staff working to safely return OPAL to power as soon as possible.
Further updates will be provided.
26 June 2024
Important adjustment to OPAL shutdown schedule
ANSTO is now 15 weeks into the most significant maintenance and upgrade program in OPAL’s 17-year history. Last month we communicated a target reactor return to power in early August. Below, please find a further update.
Shutdown schedule
In preparing for this extremely technical project, ANSTO built a full-size reactor mock-up that allowed our teams to develop, refine, train and practice the required complex processes. However, in the real-world, unique live reactor environment, we have found several novel procedures have taken longer than originally anticipated.
Based on the data ANSTO now has, and with safety continuing to drive every decision, OPAL is scheduled to return to power the week commencing 18 August 2024.
Nuclear medicine supply
To date, 96% of imported nuclear medicine products have been supplied to ANSTO in full and on time during the long shutdown period.
We continue to work closely with our international suppliers and logistics providers around the world, to ensure continuity of Mo-99/Tc-99m, Lu-177 and I-131 during the entire shutdown period, subject to these supplier's product availability and logistics.
This extension in the shutdown period will delay the resumption of Chromium supply. ANSTO is reevaluating when Chromium supply will resume, with further updates to be provided. We apologise for any inconveniences caused.
ANSTO We will continue to send you regular updates as the project continues and major milestones are reached.
17 May 2024
ANSTO’s multi-purpose reactor OPAL was shut down in March as part of an essential maintenance and upgrade program. Below, please find the latest update.
Shutdown schedule
This planned shutdown is the most significant maintenance and upgrade program in OPAL’s history. These activities include replacement of the First Reactor Protection System (FRPS) and replacement of the Cold Neutron Source (CNS).
To prepare for this first-of-a-kind program, ANSTO built a full-size reactor mock-up that allowed our teams to practice and refine the required procedures over a two-year period. However, in the real-time delivery and unique live reactor environment, we have found several processes in the program have taken longer than anticipated.
With safety driving every decision we make, based on the data we have now, the shutdown timeline has been adjusted. We are currently planning to conclude the shutdown activities in late July and return OPAL to power in early August.
Nuclear medicine supply
ANSTO has experienced minor supply disruptions to date and is pleased to report that 90.2% of nuclear medicine products are being supplied to ANSTO in full and on time.
We are in continual contact with our international suppliers and logistics providers to ensure we maintain a reliable supply of Mo-99/Tc-99m, Lu-177 and I-131 during this planned long shutdown, subject to these supplier's product availability and logistics.
Project milestones and achievements
Several project milestones have now been achieved including the successful CNS removal from the reactor pool, one of the most important milestones of the program, and the commissioning of OPAL’s FRPS.
The planned simultaneous maintenance at our Nuclear Medicine Processing and Distribution Facility remains on schedule with the facility due to be back in operation early June 2024.
24 April 2024
As part of an essential maintenance and upgrade program, the OPAL multi-purpose reactor was shut down last month. Here’s an update on this important project.
Nuclear medicine supply
ANSTO has experienced minimal disruptions and is pleased to report that 99.5% of nuclear medicine products are being supplied in full and on time. We continue to work closely with a number of international suppliers and logistics providers around the world. The ANSTO health team is working diligently to ensure continuity of critical nuclear medicine supply for our customers during the shutdown.
Project update
This OPAL upgrade program has been years in the planning and is complex and highly technical. At this stage we are working to our plan to be back to full operations early in July. As always, safety is paramount and guides everything we do.
Project milestones
During this shutdown period, we are replacing OPAL’s First Reactor Protection System (FRPS). FRPS monitors critical reactor parameters and is a primary system required for reactor safety. This upgrade to the latest available technology will provide improved safety, reliability and maintainability for the future.
Four years of detailed planning were undertaken to ensure the FRPS upgrade could be completed in the same window of opportunity as the Cold Neutron Source (CNS) replacement. We are pleased to report that new FRPS has been installed and is currently undergoing commissioning.
How do you shut down a nuclear reactor?
Like to learn more about the processes to shut down a reactor? Read this article
18 March 2024
In line with our plans and preparations, ANSTO commenced the planned OPAL shutdown on 18 March 2024, to allow for necessary upgrades and scheduled maintenance.
All key stakeholders and customers will continue to receive regular communications over the course of the shutdown.
12 February 2024
It takes years of meticulous planning to implement a successful nuclear reactor maintenance and upgrade schedule. Our specialist Engineering, Maintenance and Operations teams began work on this project in 2015. This is a highly complex operation with the team building a full-scale CNS mock-up to assist in the planning and training of supervisors and technicians. Training commenced in July 2022 with each training session taking around 3 months to complete.
ANSTO’s preparation ahead of this shutdown is well underway and running to plan.
In the below video interview, Dr Anna Sokolova, Instrument Scientist, Small Angle Neutron Scattering, explains the important of the CNS upgrade, what happens at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering and how these instruments are used in wide-ranging research, from COVID-19 to energy, food science, quantum computing and more.
Cold Neutron Source Replacement
When OPAL undergoes essential maintenance and upgrades, this will increase the performance of scientific instruments and ensure the reliability of nuclear medicine supply, silicon irradiations, and more.
A critical component of the planned maintenance is replacing the cold neutron source. ANSTO Instrument Scientist – Small Angle Neutron Scattering, Dr Anna Sokolova, explains why the cold neutron source is important.
Watch now
Go behind the scenes
It takes years to plan and implement a successful nuclear reactor maintenance and upgrade schedule, and we’re pleased to share this journey with you.
Senior Project Manager of Maintenance & Engineering, Andrew Eltobaji, speaks from our nuclear reactor mock-up facility. He outlines what the cold neutron source does and how ANSTO plans on replacing it.
Watch nowFrequently Asked Questions
What is happening?
On Monday 18 March 2024, ANSTO's OPAL reactor transitioned to a shutdown state to undergo necessary upgrades and scheduled maintenance. It is planned that OPAL will return to full operations on Friday 5 July, 2024. These are the current proposed dates of shutdown. Dates may shift slightly, however, key stakeholders will be notified in advance of any possible date change.
Why does maintenance need to take place?
The OPAL reactor is a complex facility with a unique design. Maintenance and upgrades are business as usual for infrastructure of its kind.
Even when OPAL is most successful, our teams work to upgrade its functionality behind the scenes; this will most likely be the case throughout the entire life of the reactor.
Most maintenance and upgrade activities are performed during regular reactor operation to ensure safe and reliable operation. However, from time to time, there is a need to perform maintenance and upgrade activities whilst the reactor is in a shutdown state.
Will customers be impacted?
Nuclear medicine, irradiations, and research customers will be impacted; however, we are working to minimise disruption wherever possible.
Customers will be contacted by their ANSTO Account Manager with specific information regarding supply and services throughout the shutdown.
What work has ANSTO carried out to date in preparation for the shutdown?
ANSTO has assembled a dedicated project team who have developed a life-size OPAL pool mock-up in Building 2.
The mock-up is designed to be used for training for key project activities.
The project team has utilised the pool mock-up facility to develop, trial and provide training in the cold neutron source removal and replacement activities.
Is ANSTO working with the regulator on this matter?
Yes, ANSTO is working with the regulator because regulatory approval is required to perform the cold neutron source replacement aspect of the OPAL shutdown.
Will the shutdown improve OPAL’s performance?
Teams continuously work to upgrade OPAL’s functionality to improve its performance and ensure that ANSTO can continue delivering scientific, health, and industry benefits to Australia.
The replacement cold neutron source offers increased scientific performance.
In future communications, we will outline the science behind our new cold neutron source and it’s potential.
Who is undertaking the work?
A team of almost 20 engineers and nuclear reactor technicians will work to replace the cold neutron source in OPAL as part of the shutdown.
