IAEA, Vienna12/13/2015 STATUS AND PROGRESS OF IAEA ACTIVITIES ON RESEARCH REACTOR CONVERSION AND...

IAEA, Vienna 04/21/23

STATUS AND PROGRESS OF IAEA ACTIVITIES ON RESEARCH REACTOR CONVERSION

AND SPENT FUEL RETURN PROGRAMMES IN THE YEARS 2005-2006

Pablo Adelfang, Ira Goldman, Adalberto Soares and E. BradleyIAEA/NEFW

International Meeting on Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR)

October 29 - November 2, 2006

Cape Town, South Africa


Outline

Objectives; Activities in Support of RRTR; IAEA Research Reactor and Spent Fuel Data Bases; Activities in Support of the Russian Research Reactor Fuel

Return (RRRFR) Programme; Activities in Support of the U.S. Foreign Research Reactor

Spent Nuclear Fuel (FRRSNF) Acceptance Programme; Initiative on Research Reactor Coalitions and Centres of

Excellence; and Conclusions.


Objectives

Address non-proliferation and nuclear security concerns related to dispersed HEU

Reduce risk by eliminating vulnerable HEU inventories

Coordinate with GTRI Help resolve nuclear waste, safety, and

environmental problems


Activities in Support of RRTR

Conversion of Miniature Neutron Source Reactors (MNSRs);

Assessing Facilities Utilizing HEU for Possible Future Conversion Efforts;

Technical Workshop and International Symposium on Minimization of Highly Enriched Uranium in the Civilian Nuclear Sector;

Use of LEU in Accelerator Driven Subcritical Assemblies; and

Projects on Conversion of Research Reactors.


Conversion of Miniature Neutron Source Reactors (MNSRs)

Chinese MNSR (4 in China, 5 abroad) Low-power RRs (~30 kW) Used primarily for neutron activation analysis,

education, and training Cores consisting of about 1 kilogram of HEU,

enriched to ~ 90% China has informed the IAEA that will accept

return of irradiated HEU fuel from MNSRs under IAEA Project and Supply Agreements


Conversion of Miniature Neutron Source Reactors (MNSRs) (Contd’)

Technical Meeting held 23-25 May 2005– Delegates from China, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan and

Syria and from the RERTR programme– Need of a number of analysis, including various

calculations to confirm that the MNSRs can be converted to LEU

– All the MNSRs stated interest in conversion to LEU– External funds needed to afford conversion– Organization of a CRP recommended to IAEA



IAEA CRP approved in June 2006– Assist to convert with minimal reduction of the utilization

capacity;– Establish a common approach for conversion;– Provide the basis for individual MNSR reactors to safely

convert to qualified LEU fuel;– Carry out calculations and conduct studies necessary to plan

and implement MNSR conversion to LEU; and– Disseminate information on the various technical and other

steps necessary to safely convert MNSR reactors to LEU fuel.



Six institutions in six countries awarded research contracts :– China, (CIAE), this contract includes MNSR conversion in

general and Shandong and Shenzhen MNSRs;– Ghana, (GAEC), GHARR-1 MNSR;– Islamic Republic of Iran, (AEOI) ENTC MNSR;– Nigeria, (CERT), NIRR-1 MNSR;– Pakistan, (PINSTECH), PARR-2 MNSR; and– Syrian Arabic Republic, (AECS), SRR-1 MNSR.

One research agreement awarded to– USA, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)


Conversion of Slowpoke and Miniature Neutron Source Reactors (Contd’)

First RCM inVienna,11 to 14 December 2006 Core Conversion Analyses, including:

– Topics to be addressed in a safety report for core conversion;– Benchmark calculations (actually for each MNSR);– Neutronics Analyses;– Thermal-Hydraulics Analyses;– Accident Analyses;– Operating Limits and Conditions;– Interim Storage of Fresh and Irradiated Fuel; and– Startup Plan for LEU Core.

LEU Fuel Selection, Qualification, and Availability Possible MNSR Conversion Demonstration in China Related Conversion Topics, including:

– Assessment of Infrastructure for Core Unloading and Loading; and– Transportation of Fresh and Irradiated Fuel.

Computer Codes


Assessing Facilities Utilizing HEU for Possible Future Conversion Efforts

Pressing need for an enhanced data and information collection effort to:– Develop a comprehensive international inventory of

facilities possessing inventories of HEU– Permit a more comprehensive assessment of

requirements to convert facilities from HEU to LEU


Assessing Facilities Utilizing HEU for Possible Future Conversion Efforts (Contd’)

Consultancy Meeting (CM) was held in Vienna, from 8 to 10 February 2006– Present, compare, discuss and review available data on facilities

operating with HEU; – Determine mechanisms and methodologies for obtaining

supplementary information;– Discuss appropriate tools on compiling and making available

information on such facilities to organizations interested in examining future conversion efforts;

– Plan future activities in this field;– Discuss incorporation of new RRs to the present list of facilities

targeted for conversion; and– Discuss design of a policy aiming at determining conversion

priorities and prepare, if possible, a preliminary prioritized list.


Assessing Facilities Utilizing HEU for Possible Future Conversion Efforts (Contd’)

Importance of having a reliable database and necessity of sharing information among specialists

Importance of having the information necessary to populate the IAEA’s data collection activities

MS should give serious attention to delivering timely and complete responses to IAEA requests

Prioritization of HEU facilities for future conversion is a complex matter, and should be based on many factors

The consultants compiled a list considering all research reactors that, according to the individual knowledge of the participants, make use of HEU

This list is considered a reference to be used in activities related to assessment of HEU facilities for future conversion efforts


Technical Workshop and International Symposium on Minimization

of HEU in the Civilian Nuclear Sector

TW held on 17-18 June 2006 followed by the IS on 19-20 June

Organized by the Government of Norway in cooperation with the IAEA

More than 100 experts from 41 countries in the TW and around 130 from 45 countries in the IS

TW: review and discuss technical issues related to HEU minimization and achieve consensus on the technical feasibility of eliminating HEU

IS: formulate concrete policy options for advancing the goal of HEU minimization



of HEU in the Civilian Nuclear Sector(Contd’) Technical Workshop:

– Virtually all RRs can use LEU fuel without a significant penalty to their applications

– Penalties from conversion can be managed and compensated by other measures – Most of the high-power RRs will be able to be converted as soon as very high-

density LEU fuel is qualified and commercially available– Broad consensus that the production of Mo-99 from LEU is technically feasible

and that obstacles to conversion are economic, financial, and political– Progress made by RERTR and the "take-back" programmes recognized;– Called for these efforts to be enhanced and expanded on the basis of voluntary

decisions– Positive role of the IAEA in these efforts highlighted– Broad consensus that the IAEA should expand its relevant activities, including

the promotion of cooperation between and international sharing of RR facilities



of HEU in the Civilian Nuclear Sector(Contd’) International Symposium:

– Marked by broad political discussions placing this subject within the context of the global nuclear disarmament debate, especially regarding the differing obligations of Nuclear Weapons States and Non-Nuclear Weapons States under the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

– Several countries stated that the large stocks of HEU in military programmes of the Nuclear Weapons States (NWS), which are outside of international safeguards, pose a greater threat to international security than do the much smaller stocks of HEU in civilian nuclear applications in Non-Nuclear Weapon States (NNWS), which are subject to international safeguards

– A number of representatives also stressed that actions to minimize HEU should not impinge upon the rights to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy under Article IV of the NPT

– However, there was consensus that activities related to the minimization of HEU in the civil sector should proceed on the basis of voluntary requests by national authorities, in the context of available donor funding and international technical assistance


Use of LEU in Accelerator Driven Subcritical Assemblies

An ADS is composed of a sub-critical assembly and an accelerator

Sub-critical assembly: array of nuclear fuel elements HEU or LEU can be used for the sub-critical

assembly fuel More than twenty IAEA MS with ADS activities In some MS plans for building ADS systems Importance that these facilities only utilize suitable

LEU fuel for the sub-critical assembly


Use of LEU in Accelerator Driven Subcritical Assemblies (Contd’)

Technical Meeting held 10-12 October 2005– 15 experts from 13 Member States– Address non-proliferation concerns related to the use of

HEU ADS systems– Explore technical feasibility of using LEU for the sub-

critical assemblies– Optimization studies for using LEU in future ADS projects– Conversion of existing ADS with HEU – Recommendation: IAEA to organize and coordinate

international activities to study the utilization of LEU in ADS systems



IAEA started a new international collaborative activity (within an existing CRP) to study the use of LEU in ADS

Kick off workshop in Vienna from 6 to 9 November 2006:– Participant researchers to exchange information– Design a three years international collaborative activity– Determine scope and time schedule– Assign responsibilities – Focus on the use of LEU in ADS systems



Among others, the workshop will cover the following topics:– National experience on ADS related activities;– Available infrastructure for ADS experiments;– Available infrastructure for ADS calculation, including details of

codes;– Proposed participant work under the new collaborative activity;– Availability of human resources ; and– A time schedule, with well defined milestones.

Team grouping among different research groups is strongly encouraged


Projects on Conversion of RRs

Active TC projects, related to RR conversion:– KAZ/9/00, Support to Convert WWR-K Reactor to LEU;– LIB/4/009, Enhancement of the Safety System of Tajoura Research Reactor and

Critical Facility;– BUL/4/014, Refurbishment of Research Reactor;– UKR/9/024, Modernization and Safety Improvement of Research Reactor;– UZB/9/004, Improving Operational Safety of the Research Reactor at the

Institute of Nuclear Physics; – POR/4/016, Core Conversion of the Portuguese Research Reactor to LEU Fuel

and– POL/4/017, Full Conversion of Maria Research Reactor Core from HEU to LEU.


Projects on Conversion of RRs(Contd’) TC projects successfully completed in 2006:

ROM/4/024, Full Conversion of TRIGA 14-MW (Romania) – 4 million $ from US-DOE to procure LEU fuel, coupled with a Romanian 0.5

million $ and IAEA TC Fund 100,000 $– Contract to supply LEU fuel between the IAEA, Romania and CERCA/TRIGA

International (November 2003) – IAEA officials together with officials from CNCAN and the Institute for Nuclear

Research (ICN), Pitesti, jointly carried out all the QA audits and acceptance inspections

– Final lot of LEU delivered to Pitesti on March 30, 2006– Mid-May 2006 full-core conversion completed– All irradiated HEU removed prior to May 12, 2006 will be shipped to the US

CHI/4/021, Production and Irradiation Qualification of Fuel Elements for RRs (Chile)– Conversion of the RECH-1 in La Reyna fully converted in May 11 2006, – CCHEN has been qualified as a supplier of silicide fuel elements through an

irradiation and post irradiation qualification programme, conducted under the IAEA TC project CHI/4/021


Projects on Conversion of RRs(Contd’) POL/4/017, Full Conversion of Maria RR to LEU (Poland):

– Initially operated with 80% enriched HEU changed to 36% HEU in 1999– LEU silicide 4.8 g/cm3 will be used – IAEA organized an independent expert mission to assist Poland in

developing necessary design specifications and drawings– IAEA initiated a tender process to procure LEU silicide fuel – IAEA convened and independent international expert consultation for

technical evaluation of tenders for LEU fuel supply (June 2006) – Selection of supplier is in process, contract negotiation will start soon after

POR/4/016 Conversion of the Portuguese RR:– Convert and return the HEU the US – IAEA initiated a tender process to procure LEU silicide fuel – IAEA convened and independent international expert consultation for

technical evaluation of tenders for LEU fuel supply– Selection of supplier is finalized and a contract is being negotiated


Projects on Conversion of RRs(Contd’) Conversion of the RR and Critical Facility in the Libyan Arab

Jamahiriya – Direct government to government agreement – IAEA assisting in assessment of the quality of the proposed LEU IRT-4M

replacement fuel, and implementation of pool side inspection capabilities at Tajoura.

– IAEA appointed an independent fuel expert to help the Libyan counterpart in evaluating quality assurance and quality control aspects of LEU fuel at the fabrication plant

– IAEA is assisting in selecting, purchasing and installing especial pool side inspection equipment to control LEU fuel behaviour during irradiation.

– Expert mission to Libya planned for mid November 2006

In October 2006, the IAEA received an official request from the Jamaican government:– To assist in the conversion of the Slowpoke reactor; and – In the return of the HEU core to the US. – IAEA is at present determining the most expeditious and efficient way to

assist the Jamaican government.


IAEA Research Reactor and Spent Fuel Data Bases

RRDB and RRSFDB RRDB -Status of RRs worldwide. Official information

collected by questionnaires, supplemented by FFMs. RRSFDB -Types, origin, inventories, age, storage

conditions, etc. of spent fuel, via questionnaires and informal info. Data on individual sites not published, only periodic statistical surveys.

Information invaluable in planning shipments for the spent fuel return programmes


IAEA Research Reactor and RR Spent Fuel Data Bases (Contd’)

Both database have been merged in 2005 Further modified in early 2006 Several queries were added to permit quickly generate

frequently accessed charts and tables in a variety of formats (graphs, spreadsheets, etc.),

In 2007 addition of a secure password protected, web-based user interface that will permit individual facilities to view and modify their own data

IAEA strongly encourages RR operators and operating organizations to promptly and accurately respond to the questionnaires


Research Reactor ManagersPlease,

Kindly Respond to IAEA Questionnaires


Activities in Support of the RRRFR

Return of Nuclear Materials to the Country of Origin; and

Meetings, Workshops, Training and Publication of Guidelines


Activities in Support of the RRRFR

TC Project RER/4/028, “Repatriation, Management and Disposition of Fresh and/or Spent Nuclear Fuel from Research Reactors”

The Agency offers:– Management and technical experience– Training – Contract drafting and negotiations– Safeguards inspections and safety standards


Return of Nuclear Materials to the Country of Origin

IAEA participation in latest fresh HEU shipments:– 25 July 2006, 2.72 kg, Libyan Arab

Jamahiriya

– 9 August 2006, 40 kg , Poland


Return of Nuclear Materials to the Country of Origin(Contd’)

By request of the RRRFR, the IAEA initiated a bidding process for the ‘Supply of a Research Reactor Spent Fuel Transport and Storage Casks

Deadline October 21, 2005, proposals from 6 international cask vendors

Evaluation group of 5 international experts October 24-28, 2005 to evaluate the bids

A 4 million Euro contract was finalized before end of 2005 for the supply of 10 casks

PO timely issued Casks at present, being fabricated by Skoda (Czech Republic) and

inspected by IAEA experts before deliver to the RRRFR



Vinca Spent Fuel Removal (Serbia)– Under TC SCG/4/003– 48 kg of fresh HEU removed August 2002– 2.5 tonnes of spent fuel (half of all exported Russian research reactor

spent fuel) – Serious security, non-proliferation, environmental and safety concerns– International tender conducted by IAEA– Evaluation group of 8 international experts December 5-9, 2005 to

evaluate the bids– A US $4.3 million contract for repackaging concluded October 2006 – Funding from NTI and US-DOE– Another contract is being negotiated to cover transport and related tasks – The contract is one of the biggest involving the IAEA TC programme.


Meetings, Workshops, Training and Publication of Guidelines

Facilitate operator’s/institutions participation in future RR spent fuel shipments

A meting was held in Vienna in July 2006 – Representatives of Ukraine and MS participating in RRRFR – Discuss transit requirements, identifying requirements, involved in transporting

irradiated RR fuel across national boundaries, especially through the territory of Ukraine;

– Explore the possibility of standardized transit arrangements/agreements and agreeing on steps to be taken to simplify transit approvals

A workshop was held in Belgrade, Serbia in October 2006– Provide information related to technical and administrative preparations for

shipping back RR spent to Russia, especially lessons learned from the successful Uzbek spent fuel shipments

– Finalize the outline and provide documentation for the IAEA guidelines for administrative and technical preparations for shipping RR spent fuel back to Russia

– Determine actions to be taken by IAEA and others to facilitate future shipments


Activities in Support of the FRRSNF Acceptance Programme

TM on “National Experiences on Return of Research Reactor Spent Fuel to the Country of Origin”, Vienna 28-31 August 2006– Attended by 46 experts from 27 Member States– To collect information accumulated worldwide on the subject and consolidate it in an

IAEA publication– Operators and managers of RRs that have successfully shipped RRSNF back to the

country of origin described their experiences, exchanged information and transferred lessons learned to managers and operators of eligible RRs that have not done any shipment yet

– Recommendations made to DOE, the IAEA and to countries considering shipping back their RRSNF

– Recommendations to DOE included different aspects of the “Gap Material” initiative and a request that DOE extends FRRSNF beyond 2016

– Recommendations to the IAEA included to organize a training course for eligible countries that have no experience in shipment operations of RRSNF and to prepare a guideline publication putting together the meeting material and an update of the “Technical and Administrative Preparations Required for Shipment of Research Reactor Spent Fuel to its Country of Origin”

– IAEA is planning to prepare this document during 2007


Initiative on RR Coalitions and Centres of Excellence

In October 2006 the NTI Board approved an IAEA RR Coalitions and Centres of Excellence Grant Request

Coalition resemble airline alliances in terms of growing the market through coordinated services, joint marketing by small-scale suppliers, while meeting high standards of quality and safety

IAEA will initiate in 2007 a project to create voluntary, subscription-based, self-financed coalitions of RR operators (which may include other participants, sponsors, etc.) that will:– Encourage/incentivise best-practices on RR nuclear material security, safety

and non-proliferation/threat reduction matters;– Encourage/reward/provide incentives to conversion to LEU;– Coordinate marketing and sales of RR services to increase the availability of

research RR to potential customers; – Develop rational and sustainable costing and pricing strategies;– Develop the cooperative environment required to establish centres of

excellence and rationalize RR activities;– Create economies of scale to give groups of reactors more powerful voices

commercially and politically and facilitate both fuel supply and “back-end” solutions;


Initiative on RR Coalitions and Centres of Excellence (Contd’)

– Provide shared access to RR to countries without RRs;– Provide some functions similar to a trade association (interact with national

governments and other relevant organizations to represent the collective interests of the coalition especially related to back-end fuel cycle matters);

– Provide guidance for, help develop, and peer review strategic plans for the RRs involved, both individually and collectively;

– Catalogue and publicize the scientific and technical capabilities of the RRs in the coalition;

– Offer market analysis and marketing expertise to RRs;– Encourage adoption of a common Quality Assurance/Quality control standards and

implement a system of accreditation;– Encourage/facilitate formation of joint ventures between highly utilized facilities

requiring new, lower cost, or regionally sited irradiation capacity with capable but underutilized reactors;

– Carry out collective procurements or negotiations with suppliers to receive cheaper prices; and

– Assist with acquisition of external funding for such items as irradiation services, human resource development, including succession planning, and operational experience.


Conclusions The IAEA continues contributing to international non-

proliferation efforts in connection with HEU minimization by supporting RERTR and the programmes of return of RR fuel to the country of origin

Important progress has been achieved in the period 2005-2006 in the expanded set of new HEU minimization activities initiated in 2005

Agency’s involvement is not limited to supporting and conducting HEU minimization activities. Due consideration is also being given to support RR sustainability in the post conversion and post return of spent fuel phases, through initiatives like the new project on research reactor coalitions and centres of excellence


The IAEA strongly encourages Member States to contact pertinent departments at the Agency to seek assistance and make suggestions for new activities in relation with RR and target conversion and fuel return issues

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

Pablo Adelfang: [email protected] Ira N. Goldman: [email protected]

IAEA, Vienna12/13/2015 STATUS AND PROGRESS OF IAEA ACTIVITIES ON RESEARCH REACTOR CONVERSION AND...

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