Argentina · Pilcaniyeu · -41.192, -70.871

RA-8

RA-8, a research reactor (critical assembly) in Pilcaniyeu, Argentina, with 10 W of thermal power, operated by CNEA. Decommissioned, first critical in 1997.

It was one of the 7 research reactors Argentina has had; 5 remain in operation today. It went critical 39 years after the first research reactor in Argentina, RA-1 Enrico Fermi Reactor (1958). 44 critical assemblies remain in operation today across 12 countries. It is one of 9 research reactors in 7 countries that INVAP designed or built.

Country

Argentina

City

Pilcaniyeu

Type

Critical assembly

Thermal power

10 W

Operator

CNEA

Design and construction

Designed and built by INVAP

Status

Decommissioned

First criticality

1997

Purpose

Zero-power (10 W) critical facility designed and built by INVAP for the CAREM project: neutronic measurements of the CAREM core (UO2 fuel at 1.8-3.6% enrichment, burnable-poison rods, hydraulically driven control rods, water-level criticality). Also used for teaching/training and sub-critical (ADS) design studies. Operated 1997-2001; decommissioned, released from regulatory control 2023.

See also: every research reactor in Argentina · How research reactors work · every reactor by INVAP