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SAFARI-1 50 Years of South African Scientific Innovation

Celebrating 50 years of SAFARI-1, a pioneering research reactor fuelled by South African innovation. Explore its journey, impacts, and future in the world of nuclear technology.

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SAFARI-1 50 Years of South African Scientific Innovation

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  1. SAFARI-1 50 Years of South African Scientific Innovation

  2. Introduction • 18 March 1965 - the first ever self-sustaining chain reaction • SAFARI-1 has touched the lives millions of people: • scientists and engineers, • researchers - Masters and Doctorate degrees, • 8 million people worldwide undergoing medical procedures , • nuclear medicine practitioners and patients in Southern Africa. • Unique club of 18 operating research reactors which are 50 years and older.

  3. SAFARI-1 Highlights • World class research programmes • Fuelled with wholly South African made fuel in 1982 • Conversion to LEU fuel in 2009. • Operational for 303 days per year. • Cornerstone of the South African isotope production program. • Contributed largely to the success of NTP Radioisotopes. • Most highly commercially utilised research reactor in the world. –

  4. The Birth of Necsa • 1959 - Nuclear research and Development program. • 1963 - first personnel occupied offices at Pelindaba. • Evolution of Nuclear Technology at Pelindaba • Research and Development – Early 60’s to mid 70’s. • Strategic – Mid 70’s to early 90’s. • Commercial – Early 90’s onwards. • Significant and varying impacts upon SAFARI-1

  5. The Birth of SAFARI-1 • Oak Ridge Type Reactor • South African Fundamental Atomic Research Installation SAFARI-1 • Critical on 18 March 1965 • Operated initially at 6.66 MW • By 1972 it was operating at 20 MW, 5 days per week, 24 hours per day

  6. The End of the SAFARI-1 Research and Development Era • 1976 – export of fuel from USA to SA terminated • 1977 - power reduced to 5 MW - alternate weeks operation. • 1978 – project to locally manufacture SAFARI-1 fuel initiated • 1982 - first locally produced fuel loaded • Utilisation reached an all-time low.

  7. The End of the Strategic Era • Early 90’s, sanctions were lifted. • A drastic reduction in budget • Closure of production plants down-sizing of the organisation. • NPT signed in July 1991. • Available Infrastructure and expertise: • underutilised reactor • fuel manufacturing plant • Inventory of HEU • large hot cell facility • depleted uranium • waste disposal facilities • theoretical and experimental reactor physicists • isotope separation chemists • manufacturing workshops • hot cell design, construction and operation

  8. The Dawn of Commercialisation • Neutron Transmutation Doping of Silicon • Alteration of the resistivity of an ultra-pure silicon ingot. • Homogeneity throughout the ingot is critically important • Quality of the product on par with the best in the world. • Contracts with semiconductor companies in Europe and Japan. • Isotope Production • 1973 – I-131 capsules supplied to the local market • 1974 – Tc-99m generators supplies to the local market • 1977 – An Isotope Production Centre built • 1980’s – Cs137 and Ir-192 sealed sources supplied • 1990’s – 90 % of South African radiopharmaceuticals supplied • 1990’s – Mo-99 Project

  9. The SAFARI-1 Review Panel • High costs of operating a research reactor • Operation of SAFARI-1 an inappropriate use of funding. • SAFARI-1 review panel appointed in 1995. • Recognition of the SAFARI-1 commercialisation program • Target was to cover 30 % of the operational costs. • One year later significant progress. • SAFARI-1 was given a stay of execution.

  10. Mo-99 Production • Most widely used isotope • 40 million diagnostic procedures per annum • Mo-99 production requirements: • enriched uranium • fabrication of target plates • Design of irradiation rigs • Reactor • Hot Cells • Chemical extraction processes • Containers • Waste handling and disposal facilities • Necessary expertise and skills • Project rapidly grew into a business that serves the global market • 20% of global demand supplied • Some 8 million people worldwide treated every year

  11. Conclusion • Other members of the older than 50 club have experienced operational problems and lengthy closure eg NRU, HFR, BR-2 • Unblemished safety and operational record maintained by significant annual investment in a Life Extension program. • Significant advantage due to 15 years low power operation • In 2030 there will be a similar gathering celebrating another milestone in the life of SAFARI-1.

  12. Happy Birthday SAFARI-1 Thank you for you attention

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