Refurbishment and core conversion of the Apsara reactor

Apsara is a pool type reactor using high enriched uranium as fuel with light water as coolant and moderator. The reactor is in operation for more than four decades and has been extensively used for basic research, radioisotope production, neutron radiography, detector testing, shielding experiments, etc. In view of its long service period, it is planned to carry out refurbishment of the reactor to extend its life and for overall upgradation of its safety features. During refurbishment it is also planned to incorporate the basic design features of the multi-purpose research reactor (MPRR) which is being developed at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). This paper gives an account of design features and safety aspects of the existing and modified Apsara reactor.