Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Materials Section
Technical Working Group on
Water Reactor Fuel Performance and Technology (TWGFPT)
Terms of Reference
1. Background
Current stage of fuel utilization worldwide is characterized by the implementation of more demanding core designs and operational strategies to improve plant performance. Key current nuclear fuel related issues include:
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need to maintain and extend a common high level of safety and quality, and performance culture in nuclear fuel use in nuclear power reactors worldwide;
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licensing of nuclear fuel to keep pace with the increasing trend to higher burnups and more advanced operating strategies;
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advanced or alternative, e.g. MOX, fuels and advanced fuel strategies.
Under these conditions the IAEA programme in the area of nuclear fuel technology and performance is oriented to assist both developed countries in solution of key fuel performance issues (through exchange of information) and developing countries (through harmonization of western and eastern approaches in fuel technology, performance and utilization and transfer of technical knowledge). To cope with these tasks, a specific working group of experts from 26 interested Member States and 2 international organizations was established on water reactor fuels: the Technical Working Group on Water Reactor Fuel Performance and Technology, in short the TWGFPT. The TWGFPT is a standing Working Group within the framework of the IAEA.
2. Objectives
In the area of water reactor fuel performance, technology and utilization:
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To review the worldwide status in the above-mentioned area and, on this basis, to assist in defining and executing the Agency’s water reactor fuel related activities.
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To facilitate an exchange of information and on the status and progress of national, multilateral and international programmes, new technological developments and experiences in water reactor fuel area.
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To provide Member States with information about the current status and development trends of current and advanced nuclear fuels for water reactors.
3. Scope
The topics on which expertise is required concerning fuel, fuel assemblies and associated core components (e.g control rods, primary and secondary coolant circuits, etc.) include:
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Design, engineering, and performance modelling
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Fabrication: manufacturing techniques, nuclear safety and radiation protection in fuel fabrication
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Behaviour:
behaviour during normal and over-power operation
behaviour under postulated and severe accident conditions
properties of zirconium alloys and other core materials relevant to performance
corrosion, hydrogen pickup, activity transport and related water chemistry
examination of irradiated fuel and core components
inspection, reconstitution and repair
relationship with back-end requirement (interim storage, transport, reprocessing, disposal)
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Fuel utilization and management
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MOX fuels, alternative fuels and advanced fuel technology and materials
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Economic and other aspects (e.g. environmental impact)
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Quality assurance and control
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Newly emerging issues in water reactor fuel area
4. Functions
Within the above-defined scope, the main functions of the Working Group will be to:
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advise the Department of Nuclear Energy in planning, and support the conduct of activities in water reactor fuel area;
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promote exchange of information on of national, multilateral and international programmes, new technological developments and experiences in water reactor fuel area;
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propose topics for and assist in the organization of IAEA conferences, symposia, advisory groups and Technical Meetings;
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advise on proposals for studies, reviews and training programmes;
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review experience and identify relevant issues which might benefit from international collaboration;
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encourage and facilitate bi-lateral and multi-national collaborative programmes and Co-ordinated Research Projects in the areas of advanced water reactor fuel technologies;
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provide Member States with information about the current status and development trends of technologies in water reactor fuel area;
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discuss and comment documents to be published by the Agency in water reactor fuel area;
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review and discuss relevant international symposia, conferences and activities sponsored by other organizations such as the OECD/NEA and EC, and make proposals to minimize duplications of efforts.
5. Membership
In appointing the membership of this Technical Working Group the Deputy Director General, Head of Department of Nuclear Energy will be guided by the following considerations:
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The Working Group will include one member and not more than one alternate from each Member State or international organization which has an interest in the field of water reactor fuel and wishes to participate
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Each member and alternate should be an expert actively working in the field of water reactor fuel technology and or having broad responsibilities in this field
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Each member and alternate will be appointed by the Deputy Director General, Head of Department of Nuclear Energy after consultation with the member’s government, and
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Members and alternates will normally serve on the Working Group for a period prescribed by their governments, preferably for a period of at least four years.
The Deputy Director General, Head of Department of Nuclear Energy may from time to time co-opt members and invite observers from other Member States or international organizations on an ad-hoc or continuing basis.
A limited number of advisers or observers from Member States may attend periodic meetings of the Working Group but the representation of a Member State should include the member and/or his alternate.
8. Secretariat
Subject to the availability of funds, the Deputy Director General will provide the administrative and secretariat services required by the Working Group including interpretation and translation services, meeting facilities, maintenance of records and distribution of documents. The IAEA will provide the services of a scientific secretary.
The IAEA shall reproduce and distribute reports, deriving from all Agency activities within the scope of the Working Group, among the TWGFPT membership. The members of the TWGFPT will distribute these reports among the interested organizations/firms in their own countries as appropriate.
9. Methods of work
Except as otherwise herein stated, the Working Group will determine its own methods of work, including preparation of its Agenda, establishment of special groups, keeping of records and other procedures.
The Chairmanship of the Working Group at periodic meetings may be rotated amongst members and the Chairman will be appointed by the Deputy Director General.
The work of the Working Group between periodic meetings is coordinated by the Scientific Secretary in co-operation with the Chairman on the basis of the TWGFPT meetings' recommendations. The Scientific Secretary will keep the members of the TWGFPT promptly informed of any important decisions and changes.
IAEA Technical meetings in the framework of the TWGFPT serve as a means of exchanging information between specialists and provide information to others in the member countries. These meetings also provide technical advice and proposals to the IAEA's Secretariat, for review by the TWGFPT.
It is expected that each TWGFPT member will appropriately distribute information resulting from the IAEA activities and from the TWGFPT meetings to interested parties in their country and inform adequately their governmental organizations.
The Terms of Reference will be reviewed on the request of Working Group members or the Scientific Secretary and recommendations made to the Deputy Director General of the IAEA on any modifications.
8. Working Group meetings
The Working Group normally meets each year at the IAEA Headquarters. The duration of the meeting is three days for odd years when each member shall present a full "Country Report" emphasizing national experience in nuclear fuel performance and utilization, and 2-3 days for even years when national reports are expected only if serious changes in national programmes have been experienced.
Observers from Member States or international organizations may attend TWG meeting but each Member State or organization may send no more than than two persons to the TWG meetings, at least one of whom should be the member or his alternate.
The Deputy Director General may invite international or regional organizations which have an interest in the field of this Working Group to be represented at meetings of the Working Group or at particular sessions during such meetings.
The IAEA is not in a position to bear the travel and other costs of designated participants to Working Group meetings. However, the IAEA may contribute to the cost (travel and per diem) of attendance of one participant per developing country at Working Group meetings, if sufficient funds are available and if a significant contribution can be made to the meeting by the participant. The application for financial support should be made at the time of designation of the participant.
9. Preparation and distribution of the TWG meeting’s reports
The minutes of the TWGFPT meetings will be produced as Working Material. The Working Material reports should be issued in a short time after the meeting.
The Working Material reports of Working Group Meetings should be restricted to the Working Group membership, to those participating in the Meeting and to participating international organizations. These reports should not be in principle available to the general public. The Agency should reproduce and distribute the reports among the Working Group membership and among the meeting participants. The members of the Working Group can distribute such reports among various interested organizations of their respective Member States.