Construction has begun on the first phase of a new nuclear research reactor in Belgium that could be fully operation by 2038 for nuclear research and the production of crucial medical radioisotope.
The Myrrha reactor at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN) in Mol will be a multifunctional research facility and the first research reactor driven by a 300-metre-long particle accelerator known as Minerva.
The system consists of a particle accelerator that delivers a beam to a spallation target, which in turn couples to a subcritical lead-bismuth cooled fast reactor.
On 25 June a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the start of Minerva’s construction, the first phase of the Myrrha project. The ceremony was attended by Belgium’s energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten.
Phase one of the project will be the construction of Minerva, which consists of the particle accelerator and two target facilities. In phase two, the particle accelerator will be expanded to increase its applications. In phase 3, reactor itself will be built.
A particle accelerator uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to very high speeds and energies. They can be used for a number of applications including fundamental research in particle physics and radioisotope production.
SCK CEN said that when complete Myrrha will provide radioisotopes for improved cancer treatments, fundamental physics research, fusion materials research, accelerator technology and the processing of radioactive nuclear waste.
In December 2018 Belgium approved €558m in funding for Myrrha. In 2010, it gave the go-ahead for construction.
Belgium is to contribute 40% of the €1.6bn investment. The Myrrha project is a partnership of Belgium, the European Union, the European Investment Bank and other partners, with 70% of the funding from EU countries.
