ANNUAL REPORT

1988

IRAQI ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

PREFACE

This annual report presents the activities of the IAEC throughout the year 1988.

The first section of the report commemorates the 20th anniversary of safe operation of the Iraqi research reactor (IRT-2000), whose power was up-graded to 5000KW. The reactor has proved to be a very useful tool for nuclear research in various fields.

Continuous cooperation between the IAEC and IAEA is briefly described in the sections on joint activities and on the nuclear power plant projects (NPPP).

The establishment of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency and its goals and structure are also described.

The contributions of the universities and educational institutions in nuclear science and technology are presented, too.

As for nuclear medicine, this report focuses on the applications of radioisotopes and nuclear techniques in this field.

Several scientific meetings and conferences were held in Iraq this year. These activities are listed.

The last part of the report demonstrates the pure and applied research works which have been carried out in nuclear physics, reactor physics, nuclear radiochemistry, agriculture, biology, health physics, the production and applications of radioisotopes and environmental studies.

TWO DECADES OF SAFE OPERATION OF THE IRAQI RESEARCH REACTOR

The Iraqi involvement in the field of atomic energy in 1956 was accompanied with many activities concerning peaceful utilization of nuclear energy.

These activities were culminated with the IRT-2000 research reactor which went critical on the 10th of December 1967 to pursue various kinds of research work such as nuclear physics, radiochemistry, agriculture, biology and production of radioactive isotopes utilizing the reactor neutron flux.

The IRT-2000 is a swimming pool-type reactor with a power level of 2000KW(th.) and a maximum thermal neutron flux of 3.2x10¹³ n/cm². sec. It is characterized by its very simple construction and provided with horizontal and vertical experimental channels.

Operating experience with the IRT-2000 reactor demonstrated the practical and creditable safe use of such reactor for a period of nine years. A minor leakage problem was detected and solved completely through one of its horizontal channels at the time of planning to up-grade the reactor power level.

In mid of 1976, the IRT-2000 reactor was shutdown for about two years for up-grading. The work involved the replacement of the pin-type fuel assemblies (UO₂ + Mn, with 10 and 36% enrichments) by tubular fuel assemblies (UAI- alloy, with 80% enrichment) to meet the requirements of increasing reactor power from 2000 to 5000KW. The upgraded system (IRT-5000) reached criticality in mid of 1978. One of the main characteristics of this reactor is the presence of,thermal neutron trap in the core centre with beryllium material and with a maximum thermal neutron flux 1.6-1. 8x10¹⁴ n/cm². Sec.

A training programme for personnel engaged in the operation of the reactor has been periodically set up. Each person engaged in the operation of the reactor has been adequately trained and had to pass an IAEA special examination to be qualified as licensed operator.

Operation of IRT/5000 reactor was, and still is,successfully carried out during the past twenty years with impressive safety records. No accident that lead to harming anyone or the environment was recorded. Experience with using this reactor has proved that it is a very reliable and versatile experimental tool in nuclear research.

Pure and applied research works were carried out in the following fields of nuclear science using the IRT- research reactor:

1 - Nuclear physics:

The research work was directed towards nuclear reactions, decay schemes, angular distribution and neutron scattering.

2 - Reactor physics:

The calculations of fuel utilization, fuel bum-up, fast fission factor, gamma heating and shielding were carried out.

3 - Nuclear and radiochemistry:

The research works were focused on activation analysis and uranium fission products.

4 - Production and application of radioactive isotopes: Procedures were developed for the preparation of radioisotopes applied in nuclear medicine. Some isotopes were applied for lightning arresters and others were used in oil industry.

5 - Environmental studies:

These studies were concerned with determination of some elements in environmental materials and the distribution of trace-elements pollutants.

IAEC - IAEA JOINT ACTIVITIES

The cooperation between the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency has been expanding since 1959 when Iraq became a member of this organization. In 1988 significant progress was achieved in various areas as illustrated below:-

1-General Activities:

A. Since Iraq was elected as a vice-chairman of the Board of Governors for the period 1987-1988, Iraq played an active role by attending all meetings of the board and related committees, participating in all discussions and exchanging views concerning points of interest to the Agency.

B. Iraq policy always insists on promoting the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy with maximum safety requirements. In August, 1988, Iraq ratified with the IAEA the two conventions on "Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident" and on "Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency".

2 -Technical Assistance Projects:

The technical assistance projects between Iraq and IAEA are described as follows:

A. Nuclear Power Safety (IRQ/9/004): This is a multi-year project which was originally approved in 1980, then postponed for a period of time because of the war imposed by Iran, and the Israeli air-attack on the Tammuz-1 reactor on June 7, 1981. IAEA assisted in the NPPP site selection and in preparation of safety report for IRT-5000 reactor.

B. Dosimetry and Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory(IRQ/9/005):

This multi-year project has been contributing to manpower development and to the improvement of radiation protection and other health physics services in Iraq.

C. Environmental Monitoring in Arab Countries in the Middle East (RER/9/003): A number of Arab countries, including Iraq, have shown considerable interest to this multi-year project in order to develop their own Systems- Under these projects, the Agency has provided: a. Expert consultation and services. b. Equipments. c. Training of personnel and scientific visits.

3 -Research Contracts:

Research contracts between the Iraqi scientists and the Agency in different fields of nuclear energy are of great value. The Iraqi scientists from Nuclear Research Centre (NRC) in Tuwaitha have the following Research contracts with the Agency:

A. Quality Control Scheme for Thyroid-related hormones measured by Radioimmunoassay (IAEA Research contract No. 3948/RB).

B. Migration and Interaction of Radionuclides in Radioactive Waste in major soils of Iraq (IAEA Research contract No. 4668/RB).

C. Development and Production of TC/99m Generator by Sublimation (IAEA Research contract No. 4484/RC).

D. Nuclear Measurement Techniques (TC/INT/1/039).

E. Pilot-Scale Radiation Disinfestation of Dry Dates with Emphasis on Packaging (IAEA Research contract No. 2918/R3/CF).

THE ARAB ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

On the occasion of issuing this report, the Editorial Board has great pleasure to welcome the birth of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA) which was announced on August 17th, 1988, the date of the first session of its general conference held in Tunis

The AAEA is an organization for the peaceful applications of atomic energy and nuclear technology. Its membership is open to all Arab states The present members are Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria and Tunisia

The AAEA shall have the functions of coordinating among member states in the field of peaceful applications of atomic energy and giving assistance in research activities, manpower development and technical and scientific information It shall, also, seek to set up unified regulations for radiological protection and safe handling of radioactive materials In addition, the new Arab Agency shall seek to provide additional research facilities for member states and to coordinate scientific and technical activities with the concerned regional and international organizations

The AAEA is organized in a way similar to the IAEA. It has two policy-making organs, namely the General Conference which is the highest organ that meets once a year to review the work and approve the programme and budget, and the Executive Board which meets three times a year to oversee and direct the work of the agency and prepare its scientific programme Supervision of the staff and the daily running of work will be carried out by the Director General nominated by the Executive Board and appointed by the General Conference

It is worth mentioning here that Iraq has chaired the Executive Board during the past two years, and that Dr. Ali A. Abdullah from Iraq was elected as the first Director General of the AAEA

THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The educational institutions play an important role in disseminating technical and nuclear knowledge. Universities and other educational institutions have been concerned with manpower development for qualifying personnel needed to work in organizations involved in the peaceful uses of atomic energy such as institutions employing radioisotopes and radiation sources in industry, agriculture and medicine

To achieve this goal, these institutions have adopted study programmes leading to academic degrees as follows

1 - Professional study programme, granting technical diploma

2-Undergraduate study programme, granting B. Sc.degree

3 - Graduate study programme, granting M. Sc. degree

The highlights of these programmes are outline below

Technical Diploma Programme:

The Institute of Medical Technology in Baghdad offers a study course leading to Diploma in Health Physics to qualify graduates to take responsibility concerning supervision and safe handling of radioactive sources in accordance with the Iraqi radiation protection law and regulations.

Twenty-one topics are offered, among which: interaction of radiations with matter, ionizing radiation detection, nuclear waste management, principles of radiation protection, personnel monitoring and radiation dosimetry.

The graduates are qualified to work at health and industrial sectors dealing with radioactive sources and techniques

B. Sc. Programme:

The College of Engineering at the University of Baghdad offers an undergraduate study programme leading to the degree of B. Sc in Nuclear Engineering.

The first year of study offers different subjects in electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering in addition to topics in advanced mathematics, computer science and principles of nuclear engineering to homogenize heir academic backgrounds and preparations.

The second year is devoted to lectures and practical work as well as a project in nuclear engineering. The main subjects are reactor theory, reactor engineering, nuclear materials, computer programming and machine design.

A training programme «s carried out in cooperation with the SAEC using the IRT-5000 research reactor and other facilities

The graduates are expected to work at nuclear power project and at other establishments.

M. Sc. Programme:

Several Iraqi universities offer graduate programmes leading to the degree of master in science and engineering, such as Baghdad University and Al-Mustansiriah University

Participants eligible to enroll in these programmes are those having the degree of B SC in physics, chemistry or one of engineering disciplines

The programme duration is two years During the first year, the students take lectures as well as practical work on the basis of (12-14) credit HRS/WK During the second year they carry out research projects some of which may require the use of the research reactor (IRT-5000) or any other research facility of the IAEC. The highlights of the M SC programmes are as follow:

University of Baghdad-College of Engineering:

This College offers an M SC programme in nuclear engineering

The first year includes lectures in advanced topics in nuclear engineering, reactor physics, reactor dynamics, nuclear safety, plasma physics, and computers and computation techniques

As for the second year, students are engaged in research work

Al-Mustansiriah University - Medical College: This college offers two graduate programmes:

1 . One - year Professional Diploma an Nuclear Medicine:

The main subjects are principles of nuclear physics,medical applications of radiopharmaceuticals and radionuclides, radiation protection, and biological effects of ionizing radiation On-job training in the nuclear medicine in hospitals for the period of 6 months is required, too

The graduates are qualified to work at the centres of nuclear medicine and hospitals in the fields of diagnosis and radioisotope - therapy

2. Two - year M. Sc. programme in Medical Physics:

The first year comprises subjects in physics and nuclear physics, while the second year is devoted to research work in medical physics under supervision.

Graduates are qualified for work in health institutions and universities.

THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT (NPPP)

During 1988, the IAEC achieved outstanding progress in implementation of the comprehensive technical programme covering multi-discipline activities required for site selection of Iraq's first Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The following is a summary of the accomplishments:

1 - The IAEC has finally adopted the direct execution policy of the technical programme, prepared in 1987, for the site selection of NPP. Many contracts have been signed with local governmental organizations to carry out part of this programme. The remaining part, however, is being implemented by lAEC's own organizations. The work covers four potential sites, aiming at selection of one final site suitable for the construction of the NPP.

2 - According to the requirements stipulated in the quality assurance programme description for siting (QAPD S) which was already established by the project, plans, schedules and work procedures were pre- pared for different activities of NPPP. With the assistance of IAEA experts, the implementation of work has been subjected to continuous and systematic surveillance by QA department of the project in accordance with the established procedures.

3 - Close and continuous cooperation with the IAEA was maintained during 1988. Several missions of IAEA experts to Iraq were realized during the year.These missions were assigned to perform the following:

A - Consultation and advice in selecting criteria for rejection and ranking.

B - Review of work plans for major activities.

C - Monitoring work progress via field visits.

D - Troubleshooting related to specific and unforeseen problems.

It is noteworthy that the IAEA general experts missions who visited the NPP potential sites in Sept, 1988, were very much impressed by the progress of the work. The following statements are quotations from the IAEA experts mission report of 1988-11-28, "The experts were very much impressed with the rate of implementation and the work done in Iraq", and, "The mission commends the IAEC (both the NPP and the Regulatory Body) for the significant progress achieved in the site investigation. The planning and the quality of work are deemed satisfactory for a NPP siting project".

CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF NEW ALARM SIGNAL FOR SOME REACTOR SYSTEMS

The assessment of the control systems which was carried out showed the necessity of installation of new alarm signal which helps the reactor operator to perform his duties.

A new alarm unit (D) with its electronics was synchronized with the main alarm system. The new unit consists of the following:

- Alarm panel.

- General logic card.

- Three alarm cards.

- Power supply unit.The newly installed alarm signals are:

1 -Defect in electrical power supply of section (1).

2 -Defect in electrical power supply of section (2).

3 - Defect in electrical power supply of (4DH) pump.

4 -Defect in electrical power supply of (5DH) pump.

5 - Stoppage of the special ventilation fan (1 DB).

6 -Stoppage of the special ventilation fan (2 dB).

7 -Stoppage of the cooling tower fan (15 dB).

8 -Stoppage of the cooling tower fan (16 dB).

9 -Stoppage of the cooling tower fan (17 dB).10- Operation of the emergency diesel. The new alarm unit (D) which is operating now proved to be efficient and reliable.

REACTOR DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM

The data acquisition system is a modern and reliable facility to monitor the reactor parameters and to get an exact record of the reactor data periodically.

The new and modern instrumentation and control system of the IRT-5000 reactor has an independent output for computer use. The work involves performing the hardware, installation of the terminals and connecting the out- put signals from the instruments and control system to the terminals. The total number of analogue and digital signals is 77.

The software which is the complementary part of the project was developed by other department.

The system can process, record and store all data associated with normal or abnormal reactor operation.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A SYSTEM TO MEASURE ROD DROP TIME

The measurement of rod drop time in any nuclear reactor is very important from nuclear safety point of view. This measurement should be carried out periodically once a week to be sure of the drop time value which is <0.5 sec according to the safety report.

Such a facility does not exist in the instrumentation and control system of the IRT-5000 reactor.

The new system was designed and constructed in the control section. It consists of :-

- An oscillator which generates 1 MHZ square wave.

- Time base counter which divides the frequency by (1 OK)to introduce a clock with 100 HZ.

- Display circuits which consist of five stages of synchronous decade counters, and five stages of BCD to 7 seg. decoder. Their outputs are connected to five stages of seven segment displays.

The system was installed in the control room and an online test was carried out. It showed good and reliable results.

LOADING AND OPERATION OF IRT-5000

The reactor started operating at 5 MW on the Jan.9, 1988, for 72 hours per week. One day is specified for sample loading and unloading, as well as for carrying out routine maintenance for all reactor systems.

Five fuel elements were replaced by ten fresh fuel elements. This also involved shuffling of other fuel elements.

The total energy produced in the reactor during the period from Jan. 9, 1988 till Dec. 22,1988, was 501 MW- day. This value represents 83% of the programmed one (600 MW-day). This deviation in energy production is due to emergency shut-down of the reactor for the period of two months. This unexpected shutdown was a result of Iranian random attack by missiles on Baghdad area at that time.

After core loading, the control rods were calibrated and the flux was measured inside the core and at the periphery (vertical irradiation channels).

Maintenance of the reactor equipments was done on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly bases. It covered mechanical, electrical and control systems. Daily inspection of reactor equipments are performed by operators.

Training of the operating staff was accomplished with the help of the Training Department. On-job training of newly appointed personnel was carried out within various group in the department in order to qualify them for the reactor operation permission.

The reactor was mainly used for radioisotope production and to conduct research in the fields of nuclear physics, solid state physics, activation analysis and neutron dosimetry.