TINT Delegation Visited KAERI

The delegation of Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) headed by the Executive Director, Dr. Pornthep Nisamaneephong, visited KAERI to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and sign the amendment to the KAERI-TINT MOU. The MOU was originally signed in August, 2009 and it has provided an institutional framework for promoting active cooperation between the two organizations. At the meeting, Dr. Pornthep Nisamaneephong and Dr. Jong-kyung Kim, President of KAERI, discussed a wide range of issues such as research reactor construction & operation, neutron beam utilization and radioisotope production, etc. Regarding the construction of a new research reactor (30MW) in Ongkharak, Dr. Nisamaneephong noted that its feasibility study is underway since last year and that an Environmental Impact Assessment and related technical activities will be carried out starting this year.

During the discussion, Dr. Pornthep Nisamaneephong expressed his gratitude for the technical assistance provided by KAERI in the refurbishment of the instrument and control (I&C) systems for Thailand’s Research Reactor (TRR-1) and asked for further assistance in the upcoming commissioning works planned in the second half of this year and its associated  training & education of reactor operational staffs. Dr. J.K. Kim assured that KAERI is willing to provide within its resources timely technical support for the successful commissioning of TRR-1.

Following the meeting, representatives from both sides signed the amendment to the MOU and the TINT delegation made a technical visit to facilities such as the SMART-ITL Facility, Radioisotope Production Facility and the Cold Neutron Facility.

In line with the amendment to the MOU containing additional areas of cooperation fields such as radiation equipment technology, cyclotron technology and electron beam technology, the delegation also visited the Advanced Radiation Technology Institute (ARTI) of KAERI in Jeung-eup where radiation related R&D is carried out. Dr. Nisamaneephong discussed with Dr. J. S. Yoon, Head of ARTI (Vice President of KAERI) ways to increase their cooperation and they agreed to seek cooperation opportunities in the areas of cyclotron technology and radiation instrument fabrication. TINT delegation showed their keen interest in learning more about any of technology transfer mechanism employed at ARTI. They took a technical tour of the cyclotron facility and the Radiation Equipment Fabrication Center.