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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.
Sources: Mo Hosni. 785-532-5610, e-mail: hosni@k-state.edu;
Ken Shultis, 785-532-5626, e-mail: jks@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Keener A. Tippin II, 785-532-6415
K-STATE 'POSTER CHILD' FOR SAFE OPERATION OF A UNIVERSITY NUCLEAR REACTOR
MANHATTAN -- No accident of any type since it began in 1962.
If that were a driving record, it would be pretty impressive. But it's not. Nonetheless that mark is still pretty impressive and a source of pride for Kansas State University.
Since it began operation in 1962, K-State's nuclear reactor has not experienced a single accident of any type. University officials proudly hang their hats on that achievement.
"We are fortunate to have an outstanding faculty and excellent staff to not only educate the students in our mechanical and nuclear engineering program, but also to safeguard the reactor and the facility," Mo Hosni, a K-State professor and head of the department of mechanical and nuclear engineering said. "The reactor is in excellent condition."
According to Hosni, the reactor is "a key factor in the revitalization of the nuclear and mechanical engineering program," which a few years ago was almost dead in the water. Its primary function is for the generation of neutrons for experimental use. Located in Ward Hall, the "baby reactor," as it was affectionately referred to by a former department head, stands roughly 21 feet high and about 24 feet in diameter. The core, where the nuclear fission actually occurs, is buried 5 feet below ground and encased in concrete. It is submerged in 8,000 gallons of distilled, demineralized water, which acts as a coolant.
Over the years, the facility has been a showcase for K-State and its mechanical and nuclear engineering program with tours provided to students from other areas and the general public. These are all done with the proper security and safe operation of the facility.
"It's a secure and safe operation and that is of paramount importance to us," Hosni said.
In a post 9/11 world with so much attention given to terrorism and terrorist activity, officials struggle with ensuring that public access to the reactor is maintained, while at the same time ensuring that security of the facility is provided around the clock.
"We've worked very hard to ensure that access to the reactor is open to the public," Hosni said. "We follow the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's regulations very closely and ensure that the facility is well protected."
"We have a very experienced reactor manager with much experience into the operation and maintenance of the facility," said Ken Shultis, professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering and a member of the reactor safeguards committee. "Over the years there has been a continuous upgrade of security and increasing surveillance of the facility. We think it is a very secure facility at the moment and by its very nature and design, it is also a very safe facility. It is very hard to come up with scenarios that could pose any danger at all to the university and surrounding community."
Shultis said K-State prides itself in being at the forefront of reactor security. That security led by the reactor's manager, Mike Whaley, who Shultis said tends to be very conservative when it comes to the facility's safety and security.
"He comes from government operations so he is much more conservative than we are," Shultis said. "He is very aware of that and is taking the lead in ensuring that our security is always maintained."
Hosni and Shultis said the facility also works very closely with the federal government and security experts to ensure that the facility is secure.
"We've had a lot of expert advice on how to make the facility more secure," Shultis said. "It's a continual upgrade of security that we do while at the same time we strive to keep our public function so vibrant and available.
"The word 'radioactivity,' especially in the post 9/11 world is a constant source of concern for some people," Shultis said. "We try not to be alarmist, but at the same time we are the experts and know the relative risks and hazards of this technology. I think we are the poster child for most universities for the safe operations of how it should be done. Because of the nature of public education and our commitment to such activities, we are more than happy to welcome the public."
For security reason, both Hosni and Shultis declined to discuss what exact security measures are in place at the facility.
"It is secure but we can't go into specifics," Shultis said. "I can assure you that modern technology is employed and that our reactor facility is designed to be inherently safe and secure."