Research Reactor Group


Objective:

To increase the capability of interested Member States to safely and reliably continue and improve scientific research and technology development at research reactors, to promote non-proliferation considerations.

Overview:


Research reactors (RRs) will continue to be a key component for the development of peaceful applications of atomic energy and essential for nuclear science related human resources development through education and training. To meet their goals, RRs must be safely and reliably operated, properly maintained, adequately utilized, refurbished when necessary, provided with adequate proliferation resistant fuel cycle services and safely decommissioned at the end of their life. Around 65% of operating RRs are over 30 years old. Of these, around 45% are over 40 years old. Therefore, among priority issues in Member States (MS) are refurbishment and modernization, technologies related to ageing management, and planning for new national or regional replacement RRs. There is also a need to develop strategies for effective utilization on a national, regional and international basis for an important number of RRs worldwide that are under-utilized and consequently under-funded as well as for organisations in need of RR goods and services located within MS with no reactor facilities.

Many of today's research reactors will exceed their original design life within the next 10 to 15 years and thus the number in operation is expected to decrease within that time period. It is deemed desirable to replace the present ageing and often underutilized fleet of RRs with new multi-purpose reactors that are fewer in number, more capable, use low enriched uranium fuel, and are built and/or operated by international arrangements. As a consequence, the IAEA provides assistance in strategic planning and institutional arrangements for possible national and regional RRs, regional and international research reactor coalitions, networks and shared-user facilities and in the management of spent fuel prior to decommissioning.

The Agency will continue carrying out activities in support of initiatives seeking to reduce global nuclear threats, especially in connection with civilian use of highly enriched uranium (HEU). In particular IAEA continues its longstanding support of the RERTR programme which works on the conversion of RRs from HEU to low enriched uranium and the programmes to return fresh and spent HEU fuel to the country of origin.


Figure 2. Transfer of MTR fuel assemblies to a transfer cask prior to shipment back to the United States.

Figure 1. An IRT fuel assembly used in Russian designed IRT research reactors.

In connection with the increased interest in nuclear power, the IAEA will also continue to promote international collaboration to assess projected needs for research reactors in support of development of evolutionary and innovative nuclear power reactors and fuel cycles.