TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor known as RTP is the only nuclear research reactor in Malaysia. The reactor starts its operation in 1982 and reached its first criticality on 28 June 1982. TRIGA stands for Training, Research, Isotope Production and General Atomic. Its compact core allows for a low critical mass and higher neutron fluxes while ensuring a high degree of safety.
RTP is a pool type reactor, where the reactor core sits at the bottom of a 7-metre high aluminium tank surrounded by a biological shield made of high density concrete. The reactor uses solid fuel elements in which the zirconium-hydride moderator is homogeneously combined with enriched uranium with 1MW thermal power. Demineralized water acts both as coolant and neutron moderator, while graphite acts as a reflector.
The reactor was designed to effectively implement the various fields of basic nuclear science and education. It incorporates facilities for advanced neutron and gamma radiation studies as well as for application, including Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), Delayed Neutron Activation Analysis (DNA), radioisotope production for medical, industrial and agricultural purposes, Neutron Radiography and Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS).