Researchers at the Technical University of Munich came up with this “groundbreaking calculation”. The reactor has been idle since a 2020 glitch that released nuclear radiation.
The research reactor FRM II in Garching can also be operated with low-enriched uranium. Researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and experts from the USA came to this conclusion, the TUM announced on Friday in Garching. She spoke of a “groundbreaking calculation”. This means that the theoretical basis for the implementation of the permit requirements is in place so that the highly enriched uranium that has been used as a fuel can be dispensed with in the future.
The reactor has been idle since 2020 to repair damage. But he should start again. Over the past few years, there have been repeated arguments about the use of uranium, which is enriched by up to 93 percent. Nuclear opponents speak of weapons-grade material. You complain to the Bavarian Administrative Court against the operation. Material enriched to at least 50 percent must be used.
The operating license from 2003 required conversion to a lower-enriched fuel as soon as possible. In 2020, the science ministries of the federal government and Bavaria had decided to decide on the fuel variant in 2023 based on the research results available by then. The new approval procedure is to be initiated by 2025.