The original ANS design, the (High Flux Isotope Reactor) HFIR II Concept (Fig. 1), was first conceived in the early 1980s to replace the aging HFIR The HFIR 11 Concept was not developed further because of a number of deficiencies, including the fact that much of the design was based on engineering judgment without a great deal of analytical support and justification.

Fig. 1. HFIR II concept two floor levels.

As the project team reviewed the HFIR 11 design in preparation for updating the concept, there was a growing awareness that one of the most difficult problems that the team had to address was that of conflicting requirements that call for both free access by the scientists and increased reactor security. In addition to this requirement, other requirements included isolating contamination resulting from daily operations or postulated accidents; facilitating access to instruments for researchers in many areas of the facility, at times adjacent to sensitive reactor areas; and allowing ongoing facility maintenance without disrupting research and operations. The team also realized that, as is the case with many research facility designs, the ANS Project should adopt an open, flexible concept that allows changes in specific areas at any stage during the design process without scrapping a whole design concept. The design also needs to include capabilities for growth and expansion following construction. The design team was charged with the responsibility to produce a world class neutron research facility that is safe to operate, secure from intruders, and meets all applicable rules and codes. Further, the team was tasked with designing a truly user-friendly facility that benefits from the experience of all users-scientists, operators, maintenance personnel, and others.

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Revised by hbs 3/21/95