SCK•CEN Corporate News

Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie voerde 500 tests uit voor Doel 3 en Tihange 2

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:47:46 GMT

Materiaaltesten uitgevoerd door het Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie tonen aan dat er geen effect is van de aanwezigheid van waterstofvlokjes op de integriteit van de reactorvaten van Doel 3 en Tihange 2.

In opdracht van het studiebureau Tractebel Engineering heeft het Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie de voorbije maanden een groot aantal tests uitgevoerd naar de integriteit en de veiligheid van de reactorvaten van Doel 3 en Tihange 2. Alles bij elkaar hebben de experts in reactormaterialen van het SCK•CEN een 500-tal tests uitgevoerd.

Omdat het gaat om destructieve tests, waarbij het onderzochte materiaal aan krachten wordt blootgesteld tot het breekt, konden ze uiteraard niet uitgevoerd worden op het materiaal van de kuipen waarin de waterstofvlokjes zijn vastgesteld. Om alle effecten en combinaties van effecten te bestuderen, zijn proefstukken gebruikt van beschikbaar reservemateriaal waaruit het reactorvat van Doel 3 gemaakt is. Dit materiaal bevatte geen waterstofvlokjes. Daarnaast werden ook stalen onderzocht van materiaal dat zeer vergelijkbare karakteristieken heeft als het materiaal van de reactorvaten van Doel 3 en Tihange 2, maar dat wèl soortgelijke waterstofvlokjes bevat en zelfs in grotere hoeveelheden. Alle materialen werden getest in zeer verschillende oriëntaties.

Bij de uitgevoerde tests werden geen verschillen vastgesteld tussen de integriteit van de beschouwde materialen mét waterstofvlokjes en het materiaal zonder indicaties. Dit is hoofdzakelijk te verklaren door de quasi horizontale (laminaire) oriëntatie van de waterstofvlokjes waardoor deze niet onderhevig zijn aan een significant hogere druk.

Het Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie kan bogen op 60 jaar internationale ervaring in materialenonderzoek en is gespecialiseerd in het verifiëren en voorspellen van het gedrag van nucleaire materialen. Het SCK•CEN beschikt over de reactor BR2 om versneld bestralingen te kunnen uitvoeren en een unieke infrastructuur met mechanische, physico-chemische en microstructurele onderzoeksinstrumenten voor het analyseren van de gevolgen van bestraling op materialen die gebruikt worden in de huidige en toekomstige nucleaire installaties. Deze expertise wordt niet enkel in België ingezet, maar wordt wereldwijd erkend.

Prof. Dr. Eric van Walle

Directeur-generaal SCK•CEN

Perscontacten

Dirk Wouters, Communications Manager, 014 33 21 45 - 0476 22 57 86

Cathy Schoels, 0477 68 02 80

SCK•CEN twice in Nature international journal within a week

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:11:02 GMT

Nuclear physicists from KU Leuven and SCK•CEN are part of two international teams of scientists that carried out ground-breaking experiments at the ISOLDE facility of the European research centre CERN. By this research, they made a major step forward in the quest of studying the way in which heavy atoms and their nuclei are built. The experimental findings are published in two remarkable papers in the international scientific journals Nature (May 8th 2013) and Nature Communications (May 13th 2013). The discoveries triggered more than 30 reactions in the international media.

Atom's core gets pear-shaped

An international team of 53 researchers among which our colleague Nele Kesteloot, PhD-student within the Physics and Technology Innovation unit and student at KU Leuven University, discovered that some atomic nuclei can take the shape of a pear.

Most nuclei that exist naturally are basically spherical or rugby-ball shaped. Recent theories indicated that banana- and pear- shapes can also occur. The latter is now also experimentally proven by this international team of researchers that made use of radioactive ion beams of the ISOLDE facility at CERN. The data show that while ²²⁴Ra (radium) is pear-shaped, ²²⁰Rn (radon) does not assume the fixed shape of a pear but rather vibrates about this shape.

The results have an impact on fundamental physics. There are hints that the standard model of particle physics is not complete and different extensions of the model have been already suggested. Following the theory, peer-shaped nuclei are an excellent laboratory for testing some of these extensions, but we have to wait for a new generation of ISOL facilities which can produce these nuclei in sufficient quantities. With ISOL@MYRRHA, SCK•CEN is developing an infrastructure for producing radioactive ion beams 100 times more intense than presently available at CERN, ISOLDE. ISOL@MYRRHA will use a part of the proton beam delivered by the MYRRHA accelerator. (MYRRHA is the future large research infrastructure at SCK•CEN.)

A fundamental property of the rarest atom on Earth uncovered

An international team of researchers including Lucia Popescu, head of the Physics and Technology Innovation unit, PhD-student Lars Ghys and post-doc Dieter Pauwels, measured for the first time the ionization potential of astatine, the rarest naturally occurring element on Earth.

The ionization potential of an element is the energy needed to remove one electron from the atom, thereby turning it into an ion. This property is element specific. Astatine was the last element present in nature for which this fundamental property remained unknown. The measurement fills, therefore, a long-standing gap in the periodic table. Astatine is an extremely rare element. The estimated total abundance on Earth is of only 0.07 gram. The international team of researchers used the ISOLDE facility at CERN to artificially produce and measure astatine isotopes.

The medical community is very interested in astatine, because of its potential use in radiotherapy. The knowledge of its ionization potential increases the chance of astatine to be actually applied in nuclear medicine. For the theoretical community, the value for astatine measured at ISOLDE will serve as a benchmark for theories that predict the structure of super-heavy elements.

More information

Studies of pear-shaped nuclei using accelerated radioactive beams
Nature 497, 199-207 (09 May 2013)
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v497/n7448/full/nature12073.html

Measurement of the first ionization potential of astatine by laser ionization spectroscopy
Nature Communications 4, Article number: 1835
http://www.nature.com/ncomms/journal/v4/n5/full/ncomms2819.html

KU Leuven
http://fys.kuleuven.be/iks/newsitems/nature-publicaties

SCK•CEN temporarily fulfils up to 50 % of world demand for medical radio isotopes with extra production cycle

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:14:20 GMT

Reactor BR2 at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre will run an additional cycle for the production of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine from 25 April up to 15 May 2013 inclusive. This will guarantee supplies to Belgian and foreign hospitals in cooperation with the radiopharmaceutical company COVIDIEN.

Because of an unforeseen interruption to production at one of the main producers of medical radioisotopes, the HFR reactor in the Netherlands, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre is running an additional production cycle. This mainly concerns the medical radioisotope molybdenum 99, from which hospitals obtain technetium 99m. This is used in 80 % of all medical examinations involving radioisotopes. In Belgium 2,000 examinations are carried out every day using this radioisotope. This concerns 100,000 patients every day around the world. Furthermore, reactor BR2 will also handle production of radio isotopes used to treat various forms of cancer during this period.

Worldwide, there are eight reactors that can produce these medical radioisotopes. Because of the short storage time, a constant supply with short delivery times is absolutely vital. To safeguard supplies, production at different facilities is coordinated on an international level.

With its research reactor BR2, SCK•CEN is one of the main producers of radioisotopes for the medical sector. Following earlier problems with supply security in 2010, due to the unexpected unavailability of research reactors abroad, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre increased its production capacity by 50 %. SCK•CEN supplies 25 % of world demand for molybdenum 99 on an annual basis. At peak times reactor BR2 can supply 65 % of the weekly demand.

Press contacts

Dirk Wouters, Communication Manager, 0476 22 57 86

Cathy Schoels, 0477 68 02 80

More information

Leo Sannen, Institute Manager Nuclear Materials Science,

Steven Van Dyck, Manager BR2 reactor,

Belgian Nuclear Research Centre receives analysis of stress tests

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:36:12 GMT

The Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) and Bel V submitted their analysis of the stress tests for Belgian Class I nuclear installations on 16 April 2013. These stress tests also apply to a number of installations at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre in Mol. This document contains an overview of the recommendations and requirements necessary to optimise the robustness of the SCK•CEN installations. You can read the report on the analyses of the stress tests on the AFCN/FANC website (available in Dutch and French).

The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre will study the safety authority’s analysis in detail. Without wishing to pre-empt the findings too much, we can state that on the whole the examined installations are robust, even in extreme conditions, such as defined in the stress tests. Some points are subject to improvement, e.g. fire protection and some infrastructures. In the last months, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre already undertook various actions, such as removing trees to improve fire safety and an optimization of the co-ordination with intervention services. There are well-advanced plans for a number of infrastructure works. An additional emergency plan room will be installed outside the SCK•CEN site. Various recommendations and requirements moreover fit in with the ten-year safety reviews or were already planned to meet a new royal decree on the safety of nuclear sites.

SCK•CEN will also provide its full co-operation in the next phase to the safety authority and will comply with its undertakings in the context of the stress tests within the set period. With a view to this, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre will submit a detailed action plan to FANC by 1 July 2013.

SCK•CEN elaborates on article in De Morgen on 27 February concerning attempted break-in

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:55:56 GMT

In yesterday’s edition of De Morgen, an article appeared about the attempted break-in at the Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie (Belgian Nuclear Research Centre) on the night of 14/15 January 2013. The article is based on a verbal parliamentary question posed by Member of Parliament Kristof Calvo. As far as we are concerned, State Secretary Melchior Wathelet gave a satisfactory answer to this question.

For obvious reasons SCK•CEN is neither able nor willing to give any additional information about security measures in and around the site. The Research Centre is fully compliant with all statutory requirements regarding security on the site. SCK•CEN is also cooperating closely with FANC (Federal Agency for Nuclear Control) to continue optimising security in line with the additional demands made of all nuclear sites in Belgium.

You can consult the article and the parliamentary question and explanation via the links below:

De Morgen: Vraagtekens bij veiligheid nucleaire sites na inbraak

Parlementaire vraag veiligheid SCK•CEN (2013-02-18) (787 kB)

Eric van Walle
Director-General

SCK•CEN supports ESA incubation centre in Flanders

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:59:36 GMT

On Friday, 14 December, the first Flemish ESA incubation centre was inaugurated in the presence of Flemish Minister-President Kris Peeters and Franco Ongaro, ESA Director and Head of the ESA ESTEC branch in Noordwijk.

From left to right: Jacques Nijskens (BELSPO, head of Space research), Frank de Winne (ESA astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Centre), Kris Peeters (Flemish Minister-President), Ludwig Caluwé (Deputy of the Province of Antwerp and chairman of Innotek), Bruno Naulais (ESA Technology Transfer Programme Office).

The ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) is an initiative of the European Space Agency ESA, BELSPO (Belgian Science Policy) and the Flemish Government. The aim is to launch ten new commercial businesses in Flanders over a period of four years. This relates to companies that translate innovative technologies and the know-how arising from space programmes into applications for daily life.

Space technology is often highly suitable for the provision of intelligent solutions in other sectors, but there are many obstacles on the path from creative idea to successful company. The ESA BICs significantly increase the success rate. As a result, and in addition to their initial objectives, which include telecommunication, meteorology and navigation, space programmes also create new enterprises here on earth, as well as local employment.

The Flemish ESA BIC incubation centre is co-ordinated by Innotek, the Centre of Excellence for Innovation and Technology in the province of Antwerp. The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre will provide technological assistance with regard to screening projects, as well as technical support and advice. SCK•CEN will also serve on the ESA BIC Flanders Supervisory Board, which develops the strategic lines.

ESA BIC Flanders is accommodated in two Innotek business premises in Geel and in Mol, where offices and laboratories are available.

Dirk Ceuterick (BSU) is the contact person within SCK•CEN. On the Innotek side, Wim Dams is the ESA BIC Flanders co-ordinator.

ESA BIC Flanders is the latest incubation initiative of ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme Office. There are currently centres in Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Belgium and Italy. All ESA BICs work together with local partners wherever possible.

Official opening of the exhibition "The countryside in the fifties' in Mol

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:26:18 GMT

The exhibition entitled "The countryside in the '50s: from the field to the atom" was opened officially last Friday at the cultural centre 't Getouw in Mol. The Mayor Paul Rothier, alderwoman Rit Kerstens and our general manager, Eric van Walle, raised a toast to the fruitful cooperation between the local authorities and SCK•CEN.

As of December 1, 2012 till December 30, 2012 the cultural centre 't Getouw in Mol is staging the exhibition ‘Het platteland in de fifties: van ’t veld naar den atom – The countryside in the fifties: from green field to atom'. The theme of the exhibition is the countryside in the '50's. Visitors will have a full immersion into the spirit of those years.

Entrance is free. Daily visiting hours: 1:30 p.m. till 4:30 p.m.

The fifties remind us of mechanization, rock 'n' roll, swirling dresses, … but it also was a decade in which the Mol municipality metamorphosed from a quiet village into an industrial and economic centre. SCK•CEN also contributed substantially to this change. Among other things, the exhibition shows pictures made by Jos Halsberghe, published in the newspaper of that time, the "Zondagsvriend" (Sunday Friend), and also pictures and films taken in Mol and surroundings.

For further information

Molse Kamer voor Heemkunde, Geschiedenis en Familiekunde
014 33 09 70

New brochure: SCK•CEN 2011 highlights

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:18:17 GMT

The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre presents you the highlights of 2011, bundled in a new brochure: a showpiece of SCK•CEN with its unique research facilities, applied nuclear research, innovative technologies and services in a wide range of sectors.

Open or download the brochure

SCK•CEN 2011 highlights (3 MB)

The brochure is available in English, Dutch and French. To open this brochure in another language, please select your preferred language at the top right of this page.

Do you wish a printed version?

If so, please send an email to
and mention the language and your address.

De Cultuurreactor: 600 bezoekers genoten van dans, kunst en Scala & Kolacny Brothers

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:46:26 GMT

Het is u allicht niet ontgaan dat het Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie dit jaar zijn 60ste verjaardag viert. Maar eigenlijk hebben we nog een jarige. Reactor BR3 van het SCK•CEN is namelijk precies 50 jaar geleden in gebruik genomen. Het was destijds de eerste drukwaterreactor in West-Europa en hij zal ook de eerste zijn die volledig ontmanteld wordt.

Deze dubbele verjaardag hebben we samen met 600 bezoekers gevierd met een uniek optreden van Scala & Kolacny Brothers in de voormalige turbinehal van reactor BR3 op zaterdag 27 en zondag 28 oktober 2012. We hadden BR3 voor dat weekend omgedoopt tot De Cultuurreactor, want naast een optreden van Scala & Kolacny Brothers was er in en om het reactorgebouw werk te ontdekken van lokale en internationale kunstenaars die zich hadden laten inspireren door deze bijzondere locatie. Uiteraard gaven we ook een antwoord op alle vragen rond het ontmantelingsproject van BR3.

De Cultuurreactor met uniek optreden van Scala & Kolacny Brothers op 27 en 28 oktober

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:29:25 GMT

Deze dubbele verjaardag willen we ook met u vieren met een uniek optreden van Scala & Kolacny Brothers in de voormalige turbinehal van reactor BR3 op zaterdag 27 en zondag 28 oktober 2012. We hebben BR3 voor dat weekend omgedoopt tot De Cultuurreactor, want naast een optreden van Scala & Kolacny Brothers kan u in en om het reactorgebouw werk ontdekken van lokale en internationale kunstenaars die zich hebben laten inspireren door deze bijzondere locatie. Uiteraard vindt u ook een antwoord op alle vragen die u zou hebben rond het ontmantelingsproject van BR3.

Voor meer informatie en tickets kan u terecht op de website van cc ’t Getouw:

Zaterdag 27 oktober: www.getouw.be/voorstelling/943/te-gast-scala-and-kolacny-brothers-ea
Zondag 28 okotber: www.getouw.be/voorstelling/946/te-gast-scala-and-kolacny-brothers-ea

Wij willen deze verjaardag delen met zoveel mogelijk mensen, maar de plaatsen zijn beperkt. Aarzel dus niet om tickets te bestellen als u geïnteresseerd bent.

Graag tot in De Cultuurreactor.