PH nuclear research reactor now fully operational
Nine months after its formal commissioning, the country’s first and only nuclear reactor training facility is finally fully operational as the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) through its Nuclear Regulatory Division has recently granted the authorization to operate the Philippine Research Reactor – 1 Subcritical Assembly for Training, Education and Research (PRR-1 SATER).
With this, the facility formally opens its doors to stakeholders from the research and academic community to fulfill the growing need for advanced training and research requirements.
The PRR-1 SATER is a subcritical reactor with zero-power configuration designed to be inherently safe for use in nuclear-related training, education, and research.
It will support PNRI-initiated education programs and courses, including reactor engineering, neutron physics, reactor physics, nuclear safety, and radiation dosimetry, among others.
PNRI has entered into partnerships with educational institutions to start the offering of such courses, such as in UP Diliman since 2019 and Mapua University since 2020.
Built as part of the US Atoms for Peace program, the original PRR-1 facility was inaugurated in 1963 and was operational until its shutdown in 1988, leaving the country with no operating nuclear facility for the last 34 years. With the establishment of the PRR-1 SATER, the Philippines is now one step back on track in re-establishing its nuclear capabilities.
PNRI Nuclear Regulatory Division Chief Mr. Alan Borras (2nd from left) turns over the authorization to operate the PRR-1 SATER to Mr. Ryan Olivares, head of the Nuclear Reactor Operations Section. With them are PNRI Career Scientist Dr. Alvie Astronomo (2nd from right), Nuclear Services Division Chief Dr. Preciosa Corazon Pabroa (extreme right) and Licensing, Review and Evaluation Section Head Mr. Carl Nohay (extreme left).
PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla (7th from left) proudly holds the authorization to operate the PRR-1 SATER with Nuclear Reactor Operations Section Mr. Ryan Olivares (8th from left). They are joined by Deputy Director Dr. Vallerie Samson (6th from left) and the officials and staff from the Nuclear Regulatory Division and Nuclear Services Division.
Inside the PRR-1 SATER, with the PNRI nuclear reactor staff at work during the commissioning of the facility
