Sources:
Mo Hosni. 785-532-5610, e-mail: hosni@k-state.edu;
Ken Shultis, 785-532-5626, e-mail: jks@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Keener A. Tippin II, 785-532-6415
K-STATE
'POSTER CHILD' FOR SAFE OPERATION OF A UNIVERSITY NUCLEAR REACTOR
MANHATTAN
-- No accident of any type since it began in 1962.
If
that were a driving record, it would be pretty impressive. But it's
not. Nonetheless that mark is still pretty impressive and a source
of pride for Kansas State University.
Since
it began operation in 1962, K-State's nuclear reactor has not experienced
a single accident of any type. University officials proudly hang
their hats on that achievement.
"We
are fortunate to have an outstanding faculty and excellent staff
to not only educate the students in our mechanical and nuclear engineering
program, but also to safeguard the reactor and the facility,"
Mo Hosni, a K-State professor and head of the department of mechanical
and nuclear engineering said. "The reactor is in excellent
condition."
According
to Hosni, the reactor is "a key factor in the revitalization
of the nuclear and mechanical engineering program," which a
few years ago was almost dead in the water. Its primary function
is for the generation of neutrons for experimental use. Located
in Ward Hall, the "baby reactor," as it was affectionately
referred to by a former department head, stands roughly 21 feet
high and about 24 feet in diameter. The core, where the nuclear
fission actually occurs, is buried 5 feet below ground and encased
in concrete. It is submerged in 8,000 gallons of distilled, demineralized
water, which acts as a coolant.
Over
the years, the facility has been a showcase for K-State and its
mechanical and nuclear engineering program with tours provided to
students from other areas and the general public. These are all
done with the proper security and safe operation of the facility.
"It's
a secure and safe operation and that is of paramount importance
to us," Hosni said.
In
a post 9/11 world with so much attention given to terrorism and
terrorist activity, officials struggle with ensuring that public
access to the reactor is maintained, while at the same time ensuring
that security of the facility is provided around the clock.
"We've
worked very hard to ensure that access to the reactor is open to
the public," Hosni said. "We follow the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission's regulations very closely and ensure that the facility
is well protected."
"We
have a very experienced reactor manager with much experience into
the operation and maintenance of the facility," said Ken Shultis,
professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering and a member of
the reactor safeguards committee. "Over the years there has
been a continuous upgrade of security and increasing surveillance
of the facility. We think it is a very secure facility at the moment
and by its very nature and design, it is also a very safe facility.
It is very hard to come up with scenarios that could pose any danger
at all to the university and surrounding community."
Shultis
said K-State prides itself in being at the forefront of reactor
security. That security led by the reactor's manager, Mike Whaley,
who Shultis said tends to be very conservative when it comes to
the facility's safety and security.
"He
comes from government operations so he is much more conservative
than we are," Shultis said. "He is very aware of that
and is taking the lead in ensuring that our security is always maintained."
Hosni
and Shultis said the facility also works very closely with the federal
government and security experts to ensure that the facility is secure.
"We've
had a lot of expert advice on how to make the facility more secure,"
Shultis said. "It's a continual upgrade of security that we
do while at the same time we strive to keep our public function
so vibrant and available.
"The
word 'radioactivity,' especially in the post 9/11 world is a constant
source of concern for some people," Shultis said. "We
try not to be alarmist, but at the same time we are the experts
and know the relative risks and hazards of this technology. I think
we are the poster child for most universities for the safe operations
of how it should be done. Because of the nature of public education
and our commitment to such activities, we are more than happy to
welcome the public."
For
security reason, both Hosni and Shultis declined to discuss what
exact security measures are in place at the facility.
"It
is secure but we can't go into specifics," Shultis said. "I
can assure you that modern technology is employed and that our reactor
facility is designed to be inherently safe and secure."
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