Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 21 /Trend S.Isayev, T. Jafarov/
Iran plans to start manufacturing heavy water reactors in the country, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Fereydoun Abbasi said, ISNA reported.
A pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) is a nuclear power reactor, commonly using unenriched natural uranium as its fuel, that uses heavy water (deuterium oxide D2O) as its coolant and moderator.
The heavy water coolant is kept under pressure, allowing it to be heated to higher temperatures without boiling, much as in a PWR.
Abbasi made the remarks in Iranian city of Shiraz, on the sidelines of Ministry of Agriculture's 11th memorial of martyrs in honor of veterans.
Abbasi noted that commissioning integrated energy reactors is included into Iran's nuclear achievements.
He also said that Iranian specialists have established pool-type nuclear reactors, which have also been established by Iranian experts in other countries.
Pool-type reactors, also called swimming pool reactors, are a type of nuclear reactor that has a core immersed in an open pool of water. The reactor core, consisting of the fuel elements and the control rods, is situated in an open water pool.
The water acts as neutron moderator, cooling agent and radiation shield. The layer of water directly above the reactor core shields the radiation so completely that operators may work above the reactor safely.
Abbasi noted that after taking all necessary experiments and tests, and if those are carried out successfully, then the domestic manufacture will be established in Iran.