Report of
FNCA 2024 Workshop on Research Reactor Utilization Project

FY2024 FNCA Workshop on Research Reactor Utilization (RRU) project (Hybrid) was held from September 10 to 12, 2024, in Kajang, Bangkok. This Workshop was hosted by Malaysian Nuclear Agency and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan.

The Workshop was attended by 34 participants in person and online from 10 FNCA member countries, namely Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, including workshop staffs.

[Workshop]

The first half of the first day (Sep. 10) was allocated to plenary session. The welcome address by Dr. Rosli bin Darmawan, Director General of Malaysian Nuclear Agency, and the opening remarks by Dr. Tamada Masao, FNCA Coordinator of Japan, were delivered. The individual project leaders of Japan, Dr. Ebihara Mitsuru and Dr. Yamaguchi Atsushi, overviewed the current projects of Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and RI referred to several major issues of the workshop.

Then, in the NAA sessions, each country presented the progress on the environmental monitoring with multiple measurement techniques including NAA, then discussed a number of topics including linkages with end-users. In the RI sessions, isotope production including new isotopes and new facilities were presented sequentially by individual participating countries. The detailed contents were summarized in each of the two groups, NAA and RI.

[FNCA Open Seminar -Research Reactor Utilization-]

In the morning of the third day (Sep. 12), the open seminar was held delivering the five keynote speeches from Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. The open seminar had the participants from National University of Malaysia (UKM), Malaysian Nuclear Agency as well as the workshop members in person.

[Technical Visit]

In the afternoon of the third day (Sep. 12), participants of FNCA workshop visited the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, such as the reactor TRIGA PUSPATI, the radioisotope production laboratory and the waste technology development centre (WASTEC).

Summary of
FNCA 2024 Workshop on Research Reactor Utilization Project

Preface

The Research Reactor Utilization (RRU) hybrid workshop was held over three days in Kajang, Malaysia. The first half on the first day (Sep. 10) was allocated to a plenary session in which the individual project leaders of Japan provided an overview of the current projects of Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) group and non-NAA group with referring to several major issues of the workshop. Parallel sessions were held from the second half of the first day to the second day (Sep. 11). In the NAA sessions, each country presented progress on the activities related to environmental samples and then discussed various topics, including linkages with end-users. In the non-NAA sessions, each country presented their activities mainly on the isotope production including new isotopes and so on. The detailed content of the discussions was summarized for each of the two groups, NAA and non-NAA, and we shared each summary in the wrap up session. On the third day (Sep. 12), the open seminar was held at the National University of Malaysia (UKM) in the morning, then the technical visit to research reactor, radioisotope production facilities and waste management center in the Malaysian Nuclear Agency was held in the afternoon.

Parallel session

1) Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)
NAA-1: Progress report on environmental monitoring with multiple measurement techniques including NAA
Bangladesh
Elemental analysis of environmental monitoring samples such as soil, dust, river & lake sediment etc. were analyzed by INAA, in some cases by AAS and alpha spectrometry system due to the temporary shutdown of the reactor for digital console replacement and upgrade. Environmental natural radioactivity monitoring of different river and Sundarban sediment samples was continued when the reactor was not available. During this time 11 papers were published in reputed journals and most of the papers were directly related to the project activities of environmental monitoring.

China
PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected in Beijing twice a week, and these samples were analyzed by neutron activation analysis and other nuclear analytical methods. The neutron depth profiling (NDP) at China Advanced Research Reactor (CARR) was upgraded and applied in nanofilm and lithium ion battery (LIB) in this year. Chang’e lunar samples, reference materials and high purified materials were analyzed by using NAA in this year.

Indonesia
NAA research in Indonesia assessed the heavy metals in the environment from industrial activities, fertilizers in red onion agriculture, and breast milk and complimentary food in stunted children, as well as development of an epithermal NAA facility. Significant achievements in increasing collaboration with various institutions, acknowledgement and capacity-building initiatives were obtained.

Japan
PGA and INAA, and RNAA were performed at Japan Atomic Energy Agency and Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, respectively. In RNAA, the three halogen elements (Cl, Br and I) of mantle-derived materials (xenolith, kimberlite, OIB, and MORB) were focused. Elemental abundances for meteorites and mantle-derived materials were determined using PGA and INAA for their chemical characterizations.

Kazakhstan
A study of a sample of mineral raw materials obtained from the Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology (IRBE) was performed as part of interlaboratory comparison tests. Work continues to improve the method, select optimal parameters and standards. In the coming years, a project is planned to continue to study grades of concrete for biological protection of Nuclear Power Plant reactors in order to identify activation hazardous elements using the INAA method. As part of the method testing on vegetation samples, 26 samples of medicinal herbs from the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan will be analyzed.

Malaysia
In 2024, Malaysia was analyzed elemental in Paddy Soil of Kota Belud, Sabah: This investigation aimed to evaluate the elemental compositions in paddy soil of Kota Belud, Sabah that cultivated with indigenous rice varieties. A total of 16 elements (Al, As, Br, Ca, Cl, Cr, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, V, Zn) were successfully quantified in paddy soil by neutron activation analysis. However, the study of Rare earth elements (REEs) and other elemental contamination in industrial areas will be continued. The data were evaluated to identify the degree of soil contamination and the sources of pollution in the industrial area.

Mongolia
There is still no neutron generator available for neutron activation analysis in Mongolia. However, we are monitoring the environment around Ulaanbaatar using multiple analytical techniques. We are also in the process of developing methods for determining uranium content in uranium ore and identifying rare earth elements in geological samples.

Thailand
Accuracy improvement in XRF analysis for quantification of elements in geological samples were conducted. The results were compared with those obtained from NAA. Concentrations of U, Th and REEs in monazite and xenotime samples were quantified using XRF and ICP-OES. Intercomparison analysis of INAA and other analytical methods for those samples will be carried out.

Vietnam
The k₀-NAA method was employed to investigate the bioconcentration and translocation of metal elements and nanoparticles from soil to plants, with the objective of addressing potential health risks. Two related articles have been published. Furthermore, the study on heavy metal pollution in lake sediment is intended to identify potential pollution sources and evaluate their environmental impact.

NAA-2: General discussion
The member states agreed to join the comparative study for the geological samples. The objective of the study is to improve the quality of the NAA data. The three geological samples already distributed during the FNCA 2024 meeting and another 4 (soil and igneous rock) samples will be sent later. The member states need to analyzed the samples using INAA technique and other analytical methods. Some details for INAA experimental condition were discussed for sample mass, replicate, SRMs and irradiation time. The method for the quantification is k₀ and comparative methods. The details of submission of the results and format is discussed and agreed during the meeting. The details summary of the discussion is included in Appendix 1.

2) Isotope production including new isotopes and new facility
RI-1: Country report
China
In order to meet the needs of medical isotopes, the government issued the "Medium and long-term Development Plan for Medical isotopes (2021-2035)", the research reactor has formulated the isotope production and development plan, and the aging problem of China's research reactors has become increasingly serious. During the PSR and OLE, the research and development of aging management methods and appropriate AMPs have been studied and developed suitable for research reactor and experience feedback has been provided.

Indonesia
Multi-Purpose Reactor G.A. Siwabessy (RSG GAS) in Indonesia is mainly utilized for research and production of radioisotope and neutron beam technology including neutron activation analysis. The neutron scattering laboratory consist of seven instruments i.e. three neutron spectrometers (TAS, SANS, HRSANS), three neutron diffractometers (RSD, FCD/TD, HRPD), and neutron radiography. TAS, HRSANS, and neutron radiography instruments are being upgraded. As for radioisotopes, current activities are carried out only for research purposes due to the infrastructure arrangement.

Japan
In Japan, it has started to Action plan (to promote the production and use of radioisotopes for medical and others) since 2022 (by Japan Atomic Energy Commission), therefore it is worked on production of ⁹⁹Mo by neutron capture method. However, long time shut down of research reactor cause some of technology inheritance (nuclear code, facility technic and so on) interrupted, as a result, there are supply chain was weakened and decreased human resource.

Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan, the production of radioisotopes for medicine and industry such as ⁹⁹Mo, ¹³¹I, ¹⁹²Ir continues at the research reactor WWR-K. The activation method is used to produce the listed radioisotopes. However, the possibility of using the fission method to produce ⁹⁹Mo and ¹³¹I has been studied. In the future, it is planned to begin producing ¹⁷⁷Lu for nuclear medicine.

Malaysia
Currently, the PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor produces a limited range of radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications, including ¹⁵³Sm, ¹⁷⁷Lu, ⁸²Br and ¹⁹⁸Au. While the reactor’s capabilities restrict large-scale production of these isotopes, it is still able to generate sufficient quantities to meet user demand.

Mongolia
The Research Reactor (RR) project for Mongolia had been discussed internally for several years. Design study and fuel comparison analyzes were conducted. RR project development agreement was signed, and NDA is in progress with ROSATOM. The proposed RR is to be utilized for RIs production, HRD, Neutron Activation Analysis, education and training and other commercial services. Currently all medical RIs are imported from other countries such as Korea, China and Germany. 500 mCi of ^99mTc generators are being imported from Korea every two weeks and it is only for one gamma camera. More gamma cameras to be installed soon. The shortage of clinically qualified medical physicists and the lack of recognition of medical physics as a distinct profession have raised concerns recently.

Philippines
Since the PRR-1 SATER began operation in March 2023, it has hosted over 1,500 visitors, 9 research students, 40 trainees, and 92 reactor engineering participants. Two reactor experiments, including neutron source position and control rod worth estimation, are already in place, while validation of the computational reactor model and development of additional experiment manuals are ongoing.

Thailand
Radioisotopes for nuclear medicine and treatment in Thailand are produced in TRR-1/M1 research reactors. However, reactor ageing will result in the degradation of the reactor pool. The physical ageing of the reactor pool could affect the availability, utilization, and safety of the reactor. Preventive measures are implemented, and appropriate corrective actions are taken by refurbishment of the pool before loss of functional capability occurs. After refurbishment, TRR-1/M1 can increase potential capacity of radioisotope production.

Vietnam
Da Lat nuclear reactor with a nominal capacity of 500 kW is the only reactor in Vietnam. Officially operated and exploited from March 1984 to the present. As of the end of August 2024, the reactor has operated for a total of about 61,200 hours, averaging 1,500 hours of safe and efficient operation per year. More than 90% of the reactor's operating time has been exploited for radioisotope research and production. During its operation, the reactor has been successfully used in the research and production of a variety of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals used in medicine. The Da Lat nuclear reactor provided about 14,300 Ci radioisotopes used in medicine, most of which are ¹³¹I, ³²P, ^99mTc generator and KIT in vivo, contributing to the development of nuclear medicine in Vietnam.

RI-2: General Discussion
The member states presented their future plans and agreed on the following for the specific contents of this phase:

1. The possibility for HRD through training courses and researcher exchange in reactor training, utilization, neutron beam technology and radioisotope production (new and upscale).
2. RI production of new and upscale RI (exchange information).

The details summary of each country is included in Appendix 2.

Wrap up session

1. The RRU project in this phase (2024-2026) would consider the following topics:

a. Neutron activation analysis (NAA)
b. Isotope production including new isotopes and new facility
c. New research reactor
d. Research reactor utilization

• Neutron scattering
• Material research
• BNCT
• NR
• Strategic planning and cooperation
• Spent fuel management

e. Human resource development
f. Aging issues of research reactors

2. In this year, in line with the objectives of this Phase, the NAA Group carried out elemental analysis of environmental samples in a broad sense. The main analytical method was NAA, but other analytical methods were encouraged to be used depending on the situation. Intercomparisons of the data obtained were recommended where possible. Non-NAA group has focused on Isotope production including new isotopes and new facility, we have been agreed on information exchange of HRD and RI production of new and upscale this time.

3. The meeting agreed the FY2025’s workshop would be held in Vietnam.

4. Finally, the RRU project members agreed to make the following request to the bodies supporting FNCA activities:

Program of
FNCA 2024 Workshop on Research Reactor Utilization Project