Virtual-FNCA 22nd MLM December 9, 2021

Title: Present Status and Future Nuclear activities
in Bangladesh

Prof. Dr. Md. Sanowar Hossain
Chairman
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission
E-12/A, Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar
Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Organization: BAEC
Organogram
Ministry of Science and Technology
BAEC Chairman

BAERA Chairman

Member(Physical Science)

Member(Engineering)

PhysicalScience
Division

Engineering
Division

Atomic Energy
Center,Dhaka

Nuclear Safety
Security andSafeguard
Division

Atomic Energy
Center,Chittagong

Scientific
Information
Division

BSMEC Cox’s
BazaarInternational
Affairs
Division

Member(Biological Science)

FinancialAdvisor

Secretary

Administration
Division

Establishment
Division

Atomic Energy
Research
Establishment

Business
Development
Unit

Audit &Accounts
Division

Nuclear Power &Energy Division

Member(Planning)

Planning &Development
Division

Quality
Management
Division

Finance &Budget
Division

Rooppur Nuclear
Power Project

BiologicalScience
Division

NINMAS

Center for Research
Reactor (CRR)

BSMEC-Beach Sand Minerals Exploitation Center
NINMAS-National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences
INAMS-Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences

Human
Resource
Division

The administrative channel of Atomic Energy Research
Establishment (AERE) is directly linked to the Chairman, BAECand the channels for R&D activities of AERE are linked to therespective Member of BAEC.

INMAS Dhaka
INMAS Chittagong
INMAS Rajshahi
INMAS Sylhet
INMAS Dinajput
INMAS Barisal
INMAS Khulna
INMAS Rangpur
INMAS Mymensingh
INMAS Bogra
INMAS Comilla
INMAS Faridpur
INMAS Mitford
INMAS Cox’s Bazaar

2Organization: BAEC
VisionPromotion of nuclear science and technology for peaceful uses of atomic
energy to achieve self-reliance for socio-economic development ofBangladesh.
Mission• Promotion of fundamental, advanced and applied research programs
involving nuclear science and technology in the various fields ofphysical, biological and engineering disciplines;• Implementation of nuclear power program;• Rendering nuclear technology based services to various stake holders;• Application of nuclear technology in agriculture, industry, health andenvironment;• Development of human resources in the area of nuclear science andtechnology;• Establishment of radiation safety culture;• Application of nuclear technology in exploration and exploitation ofmineral resources.

Organization: BAEC
Major Infrastructures of BAEC:
1. 3 MW TRIGA Mark-II Research Reactor,
2. Radioisotope Production Laboratory,
3. 3 MeV Van De Graff Accelerator Facility,
4. 3 MeV TANDEM Accelerator Facility,
5. 350 kCi & 50 kCi Co-60 Gamma Irradiators,
6. Reactor Physics and Engineering Laboratory,
7. Analytical laboratories including Isotope Hydrology laboratory
8. Radioactive Waste Management Facility,
9. SSDL Facility, NDT Laboratory, NAA & NS Laboratories,
10. Neutron Powder Diffractometer and11. Several Nuclear Medical Centers,
12. Medical Physics Institute, etc.
13. Two units of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) is underconstruction now.

4BAEC TRIGA Research Reactor (BTRR) Construction Started: May1981
 Criticality: 14 Sept 1986
 Reactor Power: 3 MW (thermal)

Utilization of the BTRR
Areas of Utilization of BTRR
Digital Control Console

 Experimental Reactor Safety Analysis
 Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) Neutron Scattering (NS)NAA Facility Neutron Radiography (NR) Radioisotope Production
NS Facility (NPD) Training and Education

I-131 Production Facility

NR Facility

6

Utilization of the BTRR
Experimental Reactor Safety Analysis:
Conducted different practical experiments at the Center for Research Reactor (CRR)
on the neutronic and radiological safety analysis of the reactor;
Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA):
The NAA group used the Activation Analysis technique to determine very low level ofarsenic present in drinking water, human nail, paddy, rice and also toxic elements insoil e.g. Cr, Mn, etc.
Neutron Radiography (NR):The NR group used the NR technique to detect voids, cracks, internal continuity inmaterials and determine water absorption behavior of jute plastic composites andvarious types of building materials e.g. bricks, tiles, etc.
Neutron Scattering (NS):
Nuclear and magnetic structures of crystalline materials are studied by neutron
scattering technique. The micro-structural information obtained by neutron scattering
method is very essential for determining its technological applications. This
technique is unique for understanding the magnetic behavior of materials. Ceramic,steel, electronic and electric industries can be benefited from this facility for
improving their products and fabrication process.

Utilization of the BTRRRadioisotope Production:
The production of medical radioisotope (Iodine-131) was continued until 2008 tomeet the country’s demand. The production was stopped due to the unavailability ofthe TRIGA fuel. At present medical radioisotopes (Iodine-131, Mo-99) are imported
from the foreign countries to supply different nuclear medicine centers ofBangladesh.
Training and Education:
Nuclear reactor technology related training and education program has been
extended to provide necessary supports to the students undertaking nuclear
engineering courses in various public universities of the country. The reactor facility
along with the associated laboratories has been usedsuccessfully for carrying out routinely thesis works inthe field of nuclear science and technology ofB.Sc./MSc./Ph.D. students from different public
universities of the country. Currently, about 300
students are given practical training from different
universities using reactors every year. Research,education and human resource development
programs enhance significantly with view toPractical Training on Reactor
implement the Nuclear Power Program in the country.
Operation of the Student of IUT,
Gazipur, BangladeshFuture Activities of Research Reactor
CRR has taken an ADP Project (Annual Development Program) with a view tostrengthen reactors operational safety and utilization. Main objectives of theADP are To increase operating life of the BTRR for about 15 to 20 years byimplementing ageing management of different systems/components of thereactor facility; Design and development of spent fuel transfer cask;
 Build a new spent fuel storage facility; Upgrade Digital Control Console and collection of spare parts of the DigitalConsole; Renovation and modernization of area radiation monitoring systems, reactor
hall ventilation and emergency purging system;
 Strengthen physical protection system installing IP based camera, remotemonitoring system of the facility.
BAEC has Plan to establish a new high power multipurpose (15-20 MWth)Research Reactor at AERE, Savar.
9Conclusion
 BAEC TRIGA Research Reactor has been operating safely
for more than 36 years for various peaceful applications;
 BTRR is playing an important role for research, education,
human resources and infrastructure development for
nuclear science and nuclear power programs in thecountry;
 BAEC highly appreciates the assistance of the IAEA,FNCA and other international stakeholders for theircontinued supports for addressing various safety related
issues associated with the O&M and utilization of theResearch Reactor of Bangladesh.