SCK CEN (the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre), until 2020 shortened as SCK•CEN, is the Belgian
nuclear
Nuclear may refer to:
Physics
Relating to the nucleus of the atom:
* Nuclear engineering
*Nuclear physics
*Nuclear power
*Nuclear reactor
*Nuclear weapon
*Nuclear medicine
*Radiation therapy
*Nuclear warfare
Mathematics
*Nuclear space
*Nuclear ...
research centre located in
Mol, Belgium, more specifically near the township of
Donk. SCK CEN is a global leader in the field of nuclear research, services, and education.
History
SCK CEN was founded in 1952 and originally named Studiecentrum voor de Toepassingen van de Kernenergie (Research Centre for the Applications of Nuclear Energy), abbreviated to STK. Land was bought in the municipality of
Mol, and over the next years many technical, administrative, medical, and residential buildings were constructed on the site. From 1956 to 1964 four nuclear research reactors became operational: the BR 1, BR 2, BR 3, the first
pressurized water reactor
A pressurized water reactor (PWR) is a type of light-water reactor, light-water nuclear reactor. PWRs constitute the large majority of the world's nuclear power plants (with notable exceptions being the UK, Japan and Canada). In a PWR, the primary ...
in Europe, and VENUS.
In 1963 SCK CEN already employed 1600 people, a number that would remain about the same over the next decades. In 1970 SCK CEN widened its field of activities outside the nuclear sector, but the emphasis remained on nuclear research. In 1991 SCK CEN was split and a new institute,
VITO
Vito is an Italian name that is derived from the Latin word "''vita''", meaning "life".
It is a modern form of the Latin name Vitus, meaning "life-giver," as in San Vito or Saint Vitus, the patron saint of dogs and a heroic figure in southern ...
(Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek; Flemish institute for technological research), took over the non-nuclear activities. SCK CEN currently has about 850 employees.
In 2017, the
International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. It was established in 1957 ...
designated SCK CEN as one of the four ''International Centres based on Research Reactor (ICERR)''.
Organisation profile
SCK CEN is a foundation of public utility with a legal status according to private law, under the guidance of the Belgian Federal Ministry in charge of energy. SCK CEN has more than 800 employees
an annual budget of €180 million.
The organization receives 25% of its funding directly from government grants, 5% indirectly via activities for the dismantling of declassified installations and 70% from contract work and services.
Since 1991, the organization's statutory mission gives priority to research on problems of societal concern:
* Safety of nuclear installations
* Radiation protection
* Medical and industrial applications of radiation
* The back end of the nuclear fuel cycle (nuclear reprocessing and management of radioactive waste)
* Nuclear decommissioning and decontamination of nuclear sites
* The fight against nuclear proliferation
To these domains, SCK CEN contributes with
research and development
Research and development (R&D or R+D), known in Europe as research and technological development (RTD), is the set of innovative activities undertaken by corporations or governments in developing new services or products, and improving existi ...
, training, communication, and services. This is done with a view to sustainable development, and hence taking into account environmental, economical and social factors.
Chairmen of the Board of Governors (since 1952)
* Count
Pierre Ryckmans (1952-1959)
* Count
Marc de Hemptinne
Marc de Hemptinne (Ghent, 1902–1986) was a Belgian physicist. He was the son of Alexandre de Hemptinne, a professor at the University of Leuven. He studied chemistry at the University of Ghent and obtained a PhD in Science in 1926. Marc de Hem ...
(1959-1963)
* Professor
Julien Hoste (1963-1963)
* General
Letor (1963-1971)
* Mr.
André Baeyens (1971-1975)
* Baron
Frans Van den Bergh
Frans, Baron Van den Bergh (1 May 1914 in Merksplas – 21 October 1990 in Turnhout) was a Belgian businessman, who founded the cigar factory ''Alto'' in Turnhout, Belgium, and who would become one of the leading managers of Janssen Pharmaceutica ...
(1975-1986)
* Mr.
Ivo Van Vaerenbergh (1986-1989)
* Professor
Roger Van Geen (1991-1995)
* Professor
Frank Deconinck (1996-2013)
* Baron
Derrick Gosselin
Derrick-Philippe B. J., Baron Gosselin (1956) is a Belgian engineer and economist. He is chairman of the Belgian Nuclear Sciences Research Center SCK CEN, vice-chairman of Belgonucleaire and vice-chairman of the Royal Higher Institute for Def ...
(since 2013)
Infrastructure
BR 1
''The Belgian Reactor 1''(BR1) is the first research reactor in
Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
. The air-cooled graphite-moderated reactor was commissioned in 1956. At first, the
research reactor was used primarily for research into reactor and neutron physics and the production of
radionuclide
A radionuclide (radioactive nuclide, radioisotope or radioactive isotope) is a nuclide that has excess nuclear energy, making it unstable. This excess energy can be used in one of three ways: emitted from the nucleus as gamma radiation; transfer ...
. Now, it is being used for the irradiation of components, the calibration of measuring instruments, and for performing analyses and training nuclear experts. BR1 operates by order of other research centres, universities and the industry.
BR 2
Commissioned in1962'', The Belgian Reactor 2'' (BR2) is a materials testing reactor. The research reactor is also used for the distribution of
medical radio-isotopes. The BR2 research reactor produces on an annual basis more than 25% of the worldwide demand for
molybdenum-99
Molybdenum (42Mo) has 33 known isotopes, ranging in atomic mass from 83 to 115, as well as four metastable nuclear isomers. Seven isotopes occur naturally, with atomic masses of 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, and 100. All unstable isotopes of molybdenum ...
and in peak periods even up to 65%.
BR 3
''The Belgian Reactor 3'' was the first
pressurised water reactor
A pressurized water reactor (PWR) is a type of light-water nuclear reactor. PWRs constitute the large majority of the world's nuclear power plants (with notable exceptions being the UK, Japan and Canada). In a PWR, the primary coolant (water) is ...
(PWR) in Europe. It was taken into service in 1962 and shut down for good in 1987. The reactor served as a prototype for the reactors in
Doel and
Tihange. The European Commission selected BR3 as a pilot project to show the technical and economic feasibility of the dismantling of a reactor under real conditions. At this moment, the project is in its third stage: restoring the site to its original state. SCK CEN disseminates the expertise that it has developed with the decommissioning of BR3 both on a national and international level.
MYRRHA
MYRRHA stands for ''Multi-purpose HYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications''. MYRRHA is the world's first research reactor driven by a particle accelerator.
VENUS
The research reactor VENUS, which stands for ''Vulcan Experimental Nuclear Study'' was commissioned in 1964. VENUS is used as an experimental installation for nuclear reactor physics studies of new reactor systems and for testing reactor calculations. The installation was re-built and modernised several times. As part of the GUINEVERE project, SCK CEN decided to re-build the VENUS reactor into a scale model of Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS). The particle accelerator was first connected in 2011. VENUS is a "
zero power reactor": it has a power consumption of only 500 Watt.
HADES
In 1980, SCK CEN started the construction of an
Underground Research Laboratory The Underground Research Laboratory was a test site for deep geological repository of nuclear waste operated by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's (AECL's) Whiteshell Laboratories near Lac du Bonnet in Manitoba, Canada. The site was built inside a l ...
(URL) at 223 metres below the ground level to study the feasibility of geological disposal in deep clay layers in the Boom Clay Formation at the Mol site. The underground laboratory was given the name
HADES
Hades (; grc-gre, ᾍδης, Háidēs; ), in the ancient Greek religion and myth, is the god of the dead and the king of the underworld, with which his name became synonymous. Hades was the eldest son of Cronus and Rhea, although this also ...
, god of the underworld in the
Greek mythology
A major branch of classical mythology, Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the Ancient Greece, ancient Greeks, and a genre of Ancient Greek folklore. These stories concern the Cosmogony, origin and Cosmology#Metaphysical co ...
. HADES is an acronym meaning: High Activity Disposal Experimental Site. Here, for more than 40 years, scientists perform research on the geomechanical, geochemical, mineralogical and microbiological characteristics of Boom Clay and on the interactions between the clay and the candidate materials for the waste packages. The underground laboratory HADES is now operated by the ESV EURIDICE, an economic partnership between SCK CEN and
ONDRAF/NIRAS.
Snow White
Since 2018, SCK CEN has commissioned a ''Snow White'' (JL-900) ''Early Warning System''. This installation aspirates large quantities of air (900 m³/hour) across filters. These filters are replaced and analysed on a weekly basis. Because the system sucks up large quantities of air, SCK CEN can detect very low concentrations of radioactivity in the airborne dust. In this way, radioactive emissions, even when originating from abroad, do not remain unnoticed. Detection of low concentrations may indicate an abnormal emission, such as a hidden leak, or signal a nuclear incident.
Research activities
The Centres research activities are concentrated into the following main tracks.
Nuclear Materials Science
Research is performed to improve the knowledge, understanding, and numerical simulation of the behaviour of materials under irradiation, and from there on predicting their performance. The aim is to develop, assess and validate new materials such as nuclear fuel, construction materials, and radioisotopes to be used in nuclear applications.
Advanced Nuclear Systems
Extensive contributions are made to extend the present Belgian expertise in the field of developments related to GEN IV reactor systems and
ITER
ITER (initially the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, ''iter'' meaning "the way" or "the path" in Latin) is an international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject aimed at creating energy by replicating, on Earth ...
. In co-operation with the industry and international research teams, R&D efforts are made to develop and test innovative reactor technologies and instrumentation. This will contribute to the construction of an experimental fast spectrum installation (MYRRHA), allowing a.o. transmutation processes to be performed.
Environment, Health and Safety
Next to specialised R&D in the field of a.o. radiobiology and -ecology, environmental chemistry, decommissioning, radioactive waste management and disposal, SCK CEN also delivers high-quality measurement services such as radiation dosimetry, calibration, and spectrometry. Policy support, decision making, and research on the integration of social aspects into nuclear research contribute to meet complex problems related to radiation protection and energy policy.
Education and Training – Academy (ACA)
Throughout its more than 60 years of research experience in the field of peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, SCK CEN has also conducted education and training (). The ACA activities at SCK CEN cover a. o. reactor physics, reactor operation, reactor engineering, radiation protection, decommissioning, and waste management. Next to courses, SCK CEN also offers students the possibility to perform their research work at our laboratories and research reactors. Final-year students and Ph.D. candidates can enter a programme outlined together with a SCK CEN mentor and in close collaboration with a university promotor. Post-docs are mainly recruited in specialised research domains that reflect the priority programmes and R&D topics of our institute.
The Atoomwijk
The Atoomwijk was built to accommodate the employees. When the Flemish Institute for Technological Research was set up, a number of apartments were transferred, but the majority of the district is still owned by the study center. In addition to housing, the district also consists of sports infrastructure.
Media
Many scenes from the youth series Midas and De Kat were shot on the company grounds and in the labs of SCK CEN.
Increased risk of cancer?
On behalf of the Belgian Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Health,
Sciensano conducted th
Nucabel 2study from 9 January 2017 to 30 June 2020. This national epidemiological study focuses on the possible health risks, mainly cancer, for people living in the vicinity of Belgian nuclear sites. The results of Nucabel 2 state that the incidence in the close vicinity (< 5 km) of the
Mol-
Dessel nuclear site is 3 times higher than the rest of Belgium. The results are statistically significant. Nevertheless, the number of observed cases remains low.
However, the results of this study - as the Sciensano researchers also indicate - cannot establish a causal link between the occurrence of cancer cases and the proximity of the Mol-Dessel site.
Additional information on the Nucabel 2 study:
The Sciensano study was a descriptive epidemiological study in which no attention was paid to:
# other sources to which Belgians may be exposed, such as medical applications or background radiation;
# the effective dose that would be emitted in Mol/Dessel;
# individual factors, such as infections, genetics, and other risk factors.
After further questionin
SCK CENon points 1 and 2, the following emerged:
Every year, a Belgian is on average exposed to a dose of 4 millisieverts. Almost half of this comes from medical applications. This - like the exposure from natural background radiation - has not been taken into account. However, this represents a much larger dose burden for most critical members of the surrounding population. The doses from discharges from nuclear installations are so small that the dose burden - compared to natural and medical exposure - is almost negligible.
The effective dose of all atmospheric discharges and all exposure routes of the SCK CEN installations amounts to a maximum of 2 micro Sv (μSv) per year. This is therefore 1/50 of the limit of 100 micro Sv per year for the whole nuclear site and 500 times less than the effective dose of natural exposure in the Kempen.
INES incidents
After a leak in the hot cell of BR2 reactor,
selenium-75 was released in the atmosphere on 15 May 2019. The event was classified by FANC at the level 1 of the international nuclear and radiological events scale (
INES scale
The International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES) was introduced in 1990 by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to enable prompt communication of safety significant information in case of nuclear accidents.
The sc ...
).
75Se (half-life = 119.8 days) was detected at low concentrations on aerosol filters from several air monitoring stations belonging to
IRSN (Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, France), in the
Lille
Lille ( , ; nl, Rijsel ; pcd, Lile; vls, Rysel) is a city in the northern part of France, in French Flanders. On the river Deûle, near France's border with Belgium, it is the capital of the Hauts-de-France Regions of France, region, the Pref ...
area and in the northwestern part of
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
. IRSN also performed an atmospheric dispersion modeling analysis. The dose assessment showed very low exposure levels (< 1 microsievert) without concern for public health in France.
The power of the BR2 reactor was insufficiently measured on January 27, 2021, because two of the three measuring chains were not functioning in accordance with the regulations and the third was defective. Since the installation had two independent sets of three measuring chains, any power variations could still be detected.
FANC has classified this incident at level 2 on the
INES scale
The International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES) was introduced in 1990 by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to enable prompt communication of safety significant information in case of nuclear accidents.
The sc ...
, not only because the operating conditions were not respected, but also because a similar incident had already occurred at SCK CEN in 2019. These two incidents were related to a lack of safety culture from the licensee leading to inappropriate operations.
See also
*
Edgar Sengier
*
European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM)
*
Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO)
*
List of Cancer Clusters
This is a list of cancer clusters. A cancer cluster is a statistical event, which may or may not have a cause other than chance. There are other cancer clusters that occur without any obvious source of carcinogens.
Notes
References
{{Reflis ...
*
Nuclear Energy in Belgium
Belgium has two nuclear power plants operating with a net capacity of 5,761 Megawatt, MWe. Electricity consumption in Belgium has increased slowly since 1990 and in 2016 nuclear power provided 51.3%, 41 TWh per year, of the country's electric ...
References
External links
*
Official history brochureSCK CEN’s public Institutional Repository
{{DEFAULTSORT:SckCen
Nuclear research institutes
Radiation protection organizations
Research institutes in Belgium
Nuclear technology in Belgium
Buildings and structures in Antwerp Province
Mol, Belgium