Metamorphosis of a 35 Year-Old TRIGA Reactor into a Modern BNCT Facility

Using FiR 1, a 250kW TRIGA reactor as a neutron source for BNCT was screened as a viable option in 1990, as the future of the reactor was questioned. By the initiative of the medical radio isotope group at VTT the Finnish BNCT project started incorporating early on also the medical and medical physics sides.1,2 At first a thermal neutron source only was considered conceivable, but quite soon it was realized that using aluminum-aluminum fluoride moderator a high quality epithermal neutron source was quite feasible.3 After gaining support both from the medical community as well as from private and state financing sources a decision was made in 1994 to accomplish the necessary changes in the reactor and the reactor hall.