NCSR DEMOKRITOS 15310 , Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, , Greece

Development of the Institute of Nuclear Technology – Radiation Protection (INT-RP) started in 1960 around the Research Reactor. The INT-RP was established as an independent Institute in 1986. It is organized in seven laboratories:
Nuclear Research Reactor Centre

Health Physics & Environmental Health Laboratory

Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory

Environmental Research Laboratory

System Reliability & Industrial Safety Laboratory

Solar & Other Energy Systems Laboratory

Thermal Hydraulics & Multiphase Flow Laboratory

Research in the corresponding fields is carried out along with the provision of advanced technology services.
INT-RP competes successfully for research funds at a national as well as at a European level. Third party funding for the Institute for the period 2003-2007 was 15 million Euros.
INT-RP’s personnel consists of 134 staff members classified as: 38 permanent researchers; 49 technical and other support scientists; 23 scientists under fixed- term contracts and 24 PhD candidates.

Scientific and Technical Know-how
In addition to the high quality research, reflected in the publications in international scientific journals publications, INT-RP:
Operates the only Experimental Nuclear Reactor in Greece (5MW) (with applications in neutron scattering techniques, nuclear analytical techniques, new materials and in biological tissue sterilization)

Operates an integrated radiation protection centre in Greece

Possesses expertise and facilities for radioactive waste treatment

Maintains an integrated laboratory of Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring in Greece, with an extensive network of sampling/measuring/monitoring stations covering the entire country

It operates a state-of the art atmospheric fine and ultrafine aerosol characterization monitoring site

Is active in the field on nuclear fusion with emphasis on technology. It is the coordinator of the Greek Programme of Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion

It has expertise in the evaluation and estimation of the implications of overexposure to ionising radiation using biological dosimetry methods. It has been selected by the IAEA as a laboratory for the standardization of these methods

It has developed knowhow for the integrated risk assessment of complex technological systems of new technologies, as well as the assessment of occupational risk along with the associated uncertainties. This know-how has been used on behalf of the Greek Ministries of Environment and Development, in the safety evaluation of Greek chemical companies according to the SEVESO Directive as well as in the risk assessment of several industrial installations

Applies an integrated R&D approach to environmental problems combining diagnosis, prognosis, impact and pollution-mitigation technology as well as software development (ISO 9001) and measurements (ISO 17025). Provides a broad range of services to Public and Private Organizations in Greece and abroad

Operates two accredited laboratories ERL and EREL in PM10 aerosol measurements in the atmospheric environment

Develops and applies advanced software tools for hydrogen safety as well as materials for improved hydrogen storage

Pursues an integrated approach on R&D in the area of thermal solar energy utilization, by means of high-performance solar collectors combined with thermal storage for both low and high temperature applications

Operates the only accredited Laboratory for the evaluation of the performance of solar energy systems and the development of methods for qualification and characterization of energy products (ISO, EN)

Develops state-of-the-art scientific software for micro-nano-particle dynamics and biofluid flow applications

Possesses an advanced computer cluster capable of more than 150 parallel processes and integrated in the world GRID system

It has expertise in molecular and cytogenetic evaluation of hematological neoplasias. It includes the ‘‘Cytogenetic reference lab’’ for the Hellenic Society of Hematology, providing centralized cytogenetic services to all Greek hospitals

Perspective

Transferring know-how from nuclear technology to other fields of direct interest and of importance to Greece has been the focus of INT-RP’s R & D efforts. Expansion of the provided technological services will continue while research will remain the Institute’s first and main priority.

I. Exploitation of the Research Reactor

A major refurbishment of the research reactor is under way aiming at the extension of the reactor life-time for at least 20 more years and comprising:
renovation of the reactor building and supporting electromechanical systems

replacement of the Primary Cooling System

replacement of the Reactor Control System

Further to the up to date applications (material investigation, multi-element analysis via neutron activation, biological tissue sterilization) new activities will include:

the establishment of the research reactor as a prototype of a safely operating nuclear facility and a corresponding training centre

the establishment of a Neutron Scattering Centre unique in the region and attracting researchers from other institutes, research centres and universities

applications of nuclear analytical techniques in novel fields as new materials, health sciences, environment and cultural heritage studies

II. Environmental Technology
Emphasis is placed on further developing:
the technology of aerosol particle characterization with applications in air quality, climate change and environmental health

the technology of radiological quality assessment of ecosystems

the measurements and algorithms of pollutant (radioactive and non radioactive) dispersion in atmosphere, soil and inland surface waters

analysis of severe industrial accidents

the assessment of trace elements in environmental samples using neutron activation techniques

computational tools for assessing the effective individual biological dose from suspended micro-nano particles

III. Energy Technology
There will be further activities in:
technology of fission and fusion reactors

4t-generation solar thermal systems for low and high temperature applications and suitable thermal storage techniques hydrogen and other Energy Systems (technology, safety, storage)

the assessment of environmental impact of conventional Power Plants as well as electricity production management

enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from underground reservoirs and energy-efficient separations

the development of hydrogen technologies (storage, safety)

IIV. Health Technology
Activities will be focused in:
Radiobiology, biological dosimetry and radiation protection

Cytogenetics and molecular evaluation of hematological malignancies

Biological effects of environmental (physical and chemical) genotoxic agents

Development of nuclear analytical techniques for in vivo and in vitro body composition studies

Software development for prognostic and diagnostic studies of platelet aggregation and blood coagulation

Mathematical modelling of particle bio distribution and doses in target organs

V. Horizontal Action
Activities on risk assessment and safety of technological systems, new technologies for both the general public and the involved personnel will continue.

Education

A number of undergraduate and postgraduate students are being trained at the Institute. During 2003-2007 20 doctorates have been completed.
A number of seminars on radiation protection are provided to staff of “Demokritos”, police, firemen, airlines staff, etc.

History

The Institute of Nuclear Technology - Radiation Protection (INT-RP) was founded in 1987 following the gradual merging of the Divisions of Nuclear Technology, Radiation Protection and Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring of the former Nuclear Research Centre "Demokritos". The research activities of INT-RP started in the late 50ies. Since that time the personnel and the facilities of INT-RP have been the main research / know-how centre and connecting node with International organizations in the areas of nuclear technology and radiation protection in Greece. It has also been the implementation branch of the regulatory and licensing activities of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). Since 1989, when the GAEC was established as an independent body, the regulatory and licensing activities have being gradually transferred from INT-RP to the GAEC. The personnel of INT-RP consists of 29 research scientists and 30 technicians. The facilities of INT-RP, worth 100 Million $US (1989), include:

An open-pool 5MW Research Reactor, equipment for neutron dosimetry and neutron activation analysis.

Systems for radiation measurements of environmental samples along with the national network of environmental radioactivity measurement stations

Radiochemistry laboratory for experimental low-level radioactive waste treatment

An 80 m height meteorological mast with four sampling levels and data processing centre

Laboratory for assessing the thermohydraulic performance of solar systems
System for biological dosimetry with radiation (X, a, neutron) set-ups and a basic cytogenetics laboratory

Computing facilities including a network of workstations and PC's, for the on-line and off-line data collection and processing, related software