SCK CEN

SCK CEN (; ), until 2020 shortened as SCK CEN, is the Belgian nuclear research centre located in Mol, Belgium, more specifically near the township of Donk. SCK CEN is active in various areas of research and services in the nuclear sector.
Infrastructure.
BR 1: High-end versatility.
"The Belgian Reactor 1"(BR1) is the first research reactor in Belgium. The air-cooled graphite-moderated reactor was commissioned in 1956 and excels in flexibility. At first, the research reactor was used primarily for research into reactor and neutron physics and the production of radionuclide. Now, it is being used for the irradiation of components, the calibration of measuring instruments and for performing analyses and training nuclear experts. BR1 operates by order of other research centres, universities and the industry.
BR 2: A reactor vessel filled with knowledge.
"The Belgian Reactor 2" (BR2) is a materials testing reactor. Already since the commissioning in 1962, it is among the world’s most powerful research reactors. By testing fissile and other materials, BR2 contributes to warranting the safety of existing and future nuclear installations. The research reactor is also a vital player in the distribution of medical radio-isotopes. In nuclear medicine, radio-isotopes are used for diagnosing and treating certain diseases, including cancer. The BR2 research reactor produces on an annual basis more than 25% of the worldwide demand for molybdenum-99 and in peak periods even up to 65%. Every year, almost 7 million examinations are carried out thanks to the Belgian production. Other applications can be found in the industry and in the production of high-quality semiconductors (doped silicon). These semiconductors are the base material for electronic components of, a/o, systems for solar and wind energy, hybrid cars and high-speed trains.
BR 3: Learning experience for dismantling projects.
"The Belgian Reactor 3" was the first pressurised water reactor (PWR) in Europe. It was taken into service in 1962 and shutdown for good in 1987. The reactor served as a prototype for the reactors in Doel and Tihange. The European Commission selected BR3 as a pilot project to show the technical and economic feasibility of the dismantling of a reactor under real conditions. At this moment, the project is in its third stage: restoring the site in its original state. SCK CEN disseminates the expertise that it has developed with the decommissioning of BR3 both on a national and international level. These valuable insights are also an excellent guideline for the design of new nuclear plants.
MYRRHA: Globally unique infrastructure.
MYRRHA stands for "Multi-purpose HYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications". MYRRHA is a versatile research facility but above all unique. It is the world's first research reactor driven by a particle accelerator. MYRRHA paves the way for countless promising technologies and applications, for instance for optimising the management of nuclear waste, producing new medical radio-isotopes and performing materials research.
VENUS: Mini MYRRHA.
The research reactor VENUS, which stands for "Vulcan Experimental Nuclear Study" was commissioned in 1964. VENUS is used as a flexible experimental installation for nuclear reactor physics studies of new reactor systems and for testing reactor calculations. The installation was re-built and modernised several times but particularly 2007 marks a new phase in its history. As part of the GUINEVERE project, SCK CEN decided to re-build the VENUS reactor into a scale model of Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS). The particle accelerator was first connected in 2011. The successful conversion was a major step forward in the development of MYRRHA. VENUS is a "zero power reactor": it has a power consumption of only 500 Watt, about half the consumption of a simple household vacuum cleaner.
HADES: 225 metres below ground level.
To test the geological disposal in layers of clay in Boom under real conditions, SCK CEN started in 1980 with the construction of a laboratory at 225 metres below ground level. The underground laboratory was given the apt name HADES, god of the underworld. Here, scientists perform research into the mechanical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of clay and the interaction between the radioactive waste and the materials in which the waste will be packed. How slowly do the radioactive substances spread in clay? How soon are the packaging materials of the radioactive waste affected? How can we build tunnels and side tunnels? The research results, computer models and simulations are promising. The radioactivity that after thousands of years would be released from the clay layer in strongly diluted concentrations, has no impact on humans or the environment. The underground laboratory HADES is now operated by ESV EURIDICE, an economic partnership between SCK CEN and NIRAS.
Snow White without the Seven Dwarfs.
Since 2018, SCK CEN is in possession of "Snow White" (JL-900 "Early Warning System"). This installation sucks up large quantities of air (900 m³/hour) and leads it across filters. These filters are replaced and analysed on a weekly basis. Because the system sucks up such large quantities of air, SCK CEN can detect very low concentrations of radioactivity in the airborne dust. In this way, radioactive emissions, even when originating from abroad, do not remain unnoticed. Detections of low concentrations may indicate an abnormal emission, such as a hidden leak, or signal a nuclear incident.
Recognized as a role model bij IAEA.
In September 2017, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) designated SCK CEN as one of the four "International Centres based on Research Reactor (ICERR)" in the world for its unique knowledge and infrastructure. With this label, the IAEA wants to give member states access to the research facilities in order to help them develop their nuclear sciences and technology programs. BR1, BR2, MYRRHA and VENUS are included in the ICERR program. SCK CEN also provides academics courses for students and customized training courses for professionals. Do you have a project? Our experts guide you along your research program and help end users to optimize the operation of their existing research reactors.
History.
SCK CEN was founded in 1952 and originally named "Studiecentrum voor de Toepassingen van de Kernenergie" (Research Centre for the Applications of Nuclear Energy), abbreviated to STK. Land was bought in the municipality of Mol and over the next years many technical, administrative, medical and residential buildings were constructed on the site. From 1956 to 1964 four nuclear research reactors became operational: the BR 1, BR 2, BR 3, the first Pressurized water reactor in Europe, and VENUS.
In 1963 SCK CEN already employed 1600 people, a number that would remain about the same over the next decades. In 1970 SCK CEN widened its field of activities outside the nuclear sector, but the emphasis remained on nuclear research. In 1991 SCK CEN was split and a new institute, VITO (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek; Flemish institute for technological research), took over the non-nuclear activities. SCK CEN currently has about 850 employees.
Organisation profile.
SCK CEN is a foundation of public utility with a legal status according to private law, under the guidance of the Belgian Federal Ministry in charge of energy. SCK CEN has more than 800 employees an annual budget of €180 million. The organization receives 25% of its funding directly from government grants, 5% indirectly via activities for the dismantling of declassified installations and 70% from contract work and services.
Since 1991, the organization's statutory mission gives priority to research on problems of societal concern:
To these domains SCK CEN contributes with research and development, training, communication and services. This is done with a view to sustainable development, and hence taking into account environmental, economical and social factors.
Research activities.
SCK CEN's fields of activity go from the deep underground to outer space. The Centres research activities are concentrated into the following main tracks:
The Atoomwijk.
The Atoomwijk was built to accommodate the employees. When the Flemish Institute for Technological Research was set up, a number of apartments were transferred, but the majority of the district is still owned by the study center. In addition to housing, the district also consists of sports infrastructure. 
Media.
Many scenes from the youth series Midas and De Kat were shot on the company grounds and in the labs of SCK CEN.
Increased risk of cancer.
A study carried out between 2002 and 2008 found that children living within a 15 km radius of the Mol-Dessel nuclear area have a 2-3 times higher risk of developing acute leukemia. These findings were published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention by scientists of the Belgian Scientific Institute of Public Health and the Belgian Cancer Registry. There were some indications of a connection between the wind direction and the distribution of leukemia cases. This was addressed in a follow-up study.
Another study by the same authors saw a significant increase of thyroid cancer in children living near the Mol-Dessel site. No increased risk of cancer was found in the population living around other Belgian nuclear plants. These findings are supported by a similar study of the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection.
Although the number of children in the studies was small, Louis Van Bladel, radiation expert at the Belgian Federal Agency for nuclear control (AFCN) and co-author of the studies, said that further research`is needed in order to draw hard conclusions.