Home / Asia / Iran / Tehran Research Reactor (TRR)

Tehran Research Reactor (TRR)

Nuclear research reactor in Tehran, Iran — 35.7389, 51.3894.

nuclearTehranIranPool-type research reactor (5 MW)

Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) is a nuclear research reactor in Tehran, Iran. It functions as a Pool-type research reactor (5 MW). It is operated by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). Current status: Operational. In service since 1967.

5MW installed capacity
3,754homes powered (est.)
1967commissioned (~59 yrs)

Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id NUC-IR-TEHRAN-TRR.

Data status

Known data

FacilityTehran Research Reactor (TRR) IAEA / NTI / public reporting
CountryIran · Tehran IAEA / NTI / public reporting
Coordinates35.7389, 51.3894 IAEA / NTI / public reporting
Fuelnuclear IAEA / NTI / public reporting
MW installed capacity5 MW IAEA / NTI / public reporting
OwnerAtomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) IAEA / NTI / public reporting
Commissioned1967 IAEA / NTI / public reporting
TechnologyPool-type research reactor (5 MW) IAEA / NTI / public reporting

Calculated from dataset

Capacity rank in country#173 of 177 calculated
Fuel-specific rank in country#2 of 5 calculated
Homes-powered equivalent3,754 calculated
Climate16.8°C · HDD 1,675 derived from coordinates
Environmental severityC3 · 42/100 derived from coordinates

Not available

GWh reported / yrNot available not in dataset
CO₂ emissionsNot available not in dataset

Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.

Facility overview

The Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) is a 5 MW pool-type research reactor supplied by the United States in 1967 under the “Atoms for Peace” programme. Originally fuelled with highly enriched uranium, it was later converted toward lower-enriched fuel. Today it mainly produces medical radioisotopes for Iranian hospitals and supports research and training.

The TRR's fuel needs were central to the 2009–2010 fuel-swap diplomacy and were one of the stated reasons Iran began enriching to 20%. Located on the campus of the AEOI in northern Tehran, it is a small research reactor under IAEA safeguards — not a power-generating plant.

In context: how this plant compares

Technically it is described as Pool-type research reactor (5 MW). This facility converts its energy source into electricity for the grid; its capacity, fuel type and location determine its role in the national power mix.

Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.

Capacity vs largest nuclear plants in Iran

Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor: 40 MW40Arak / Kho…Tehran Research Reactor (TRR): 5 MW5Tehran Res…Natanz Nuclear Facility: 0 MW0Natanz Nuc…Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant: 0 MW0Fordow Fue…Esfahan Nuclear Technology Center (UCF): 0 MW0Esfahan Nu…

Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).

Owner

Operated by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

Local climate & thermal context

This nuclear plant generates electricity for the grid. It sits in a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 35.7°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.

16.8°Cannual mean temp
1,675heating degree-days (base 18°C)
1,275cooling degree-days (base 18°C)
1,065 melevation

Monthly mean temperature

J: 4 °CJF: 6 °CFM: 10 °CMA: 17 °CAM: 22 °CMJ: 27 °CJJ: 30 °CJA: 29 °CAS: 24 °CSO: 18 °CON: 11 °CND: 6 °CD30 °C

Heating degree-days here run 32% below the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.

Climate heat-demand index: 37/100 — this site sits in the mid third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.

In colder climates, uninsulated hot equipment (boilers, turbines, valves, steam lines) loses proportionally more heat to ambient air — exactly the loss Inzonex modular insulation is designed to cut.

Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.

Site climate & environmental severity

For a plant’s outdoor hardware — heat-recovery steam generators (HRSG), expansion joints, valves, flanges and their insulation — the local climate sets how fast unprotected steel and coatings degrade. This site sits in a moderately corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C3 — Medium), with thermal cycling the leading environmental stress.

C3ISO 9223 corrosivity (indicative)
42/100environmental-severity index
26.4°Cseasonal temperature swing
100 kmdistance to coast

Higher environmental severity is exactly where protective removable insulation pays back most: a sheltered micro-climate slows corrosion, UV and thermal-cycling damage and extends outdoor hardware service life. This is an indicative site-climate context — not a condition assessment of any specific plant or operator.

Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.

How it compares & nearby plants

The #2 largest nuclear power plant of 5 in Iran by capacity.

Iran has 5 nuclear power plants in this dataset, together about 45 MW of capacity.

Nearby power plants

Location

Coordinates 35.7389, 51.3894 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.

Cutting heat loss at this plant

Plants like this lose energy through hot steam generators, turbines, feedwater heaters and valves. Inzonex makes removable, reusable turbine & feedwater insulation that cuts that loss by up to 96% and holds surface temperatures under 45°C, unclipping in seconds for maintenance. See the industrial-AI efficiency hub for tools and benchmarks.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tehran Research Reactor (TRR)?

Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) is a nuclear research reactor in Tehran, Iran, operated by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

Is Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) a power plant?

No — Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) is a nuclear research reactor and does not generate grid electricity.

Where is Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) located?

It is located near Tehran, at approximately 35.739, 51.389.

What does Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) do?

Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) is used for Pool-type research reactor (5 MW).

What is the current status of Tehran Research Reactor (TRR)?

Operational

Who operates Tehran Research Reactor (TRR)?

Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) is operated by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

Built from open public data; no personal information. Operate this site? Request a correction or removal.