Conceptual Design of the Cooling System for the RPI-2MW Reactor for Radioisotope Production in Indonesia

Abstract

Medical radioisotopes are in high demand in Indonesian hospitals, with 94 percent still being imported. Nuclear reactors, such as the RPI-2MW, offer a domestic solution for radioisotope production. This study focuses on the conceptual design of the RPI-2MW reactor cooling system, which is an important system in achieving safe radioisotope production. Using ChemCAD6.1.4 software, operational parameters were calculated, ensuring that the primary coolant temperature in the reactor core remains below the safety limit of 40°C. Simulations were conducted considering various secondary coolant temperatures from the cooling towers. If the coolant temperature is maintained below 37°C, the reactor operates safely in terms of core thermal-hydraulic aspects. The secondary cooling system, designed as an atmospheric cooling tower type, offers cost-effective solutions for efficient reactor operation. With the RPI-2MW reactor design, this research is expected to contribute to the progress of domestic radioisotope production.