Design Characteristics and Startup Tests of HANARO

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has successfully completed the commissioning tests, including the long-term operational performance test for the HANARO, a newly in-service multi-purpose research reactor in Korea. This paper presents the design characteristics of the HANARO and a brief description on the startup tests carried out at zero and low power during its commissioning. The reactor is now at the shutdown state for the periodic surveillance after cycle 1 operation and is waiting for the additional fuel loading to configure the cycle 2 core. The reactor is expected to undergo five more cycles of operation in this year. The important physics tests will be conducted at the beginning and at the end of each cycle.