Summary Report on TWG-HWR

Dave Torgerson

Senior Vice President for Technology

AECL, Canada

The TWG-HWR provides advice and support for activities on technology development for HWRs conducted within IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Energy. It provides an effective forum for cooperation on technologies for improving economics, performance and safety of current and advanced HWRs. Activities of common interest with the TWG-LWR are conducted jointly.

Achievements since 1.2003:

Advice on, and review of, Agency activities:

Provided advice for the Agency’s 2006-7 Programme, and reviewed ongoing activities

Information exchange:

Established a password protected web-site on Highlights of National Programmes on Water-Cooled Reactor Technology Development (jointly with the TWG-LWR)
Published TECDOC-1395 “Inter-comparison and Validation of Computer Codes for Thermo-Hydraulic Safety Analyses of HWRs” comparing code predictions with experimental results from AECL’s RD-14M Large-Loss Of Coolant Accident test
Published TECDOC-1390 “Construction and Commissioning Experience of Evolutionary Water-Cooled NPPs” (jointly with the TWG-LWR; led by the Nuclear Power Engineering Section) addressing recent new plants (Qinshan III 1&2; Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 6&7; Lingau 1&2; Yonggwang 5&6; Tarapur 3&4), and including a review of methods for completing site construction on schedule and budget, and measures to reduce the commissioning period.

Cooperative Research:

Finished Phase 1 (round robin test series on flaw characterization) of the CRP on "Inter-comparison of Techniques for Pressure Tube Inspection and Diagnostics"
Completed the CRP on “Establishment of a Thermo-physical Properties Data-Base of Materials” (jointly with TWG-LWR). TECDOC presenting new measurements and data assessments is being prepared; over 1300 data files are in the IAEA THERPRO Web site
Started the CRP on “Natural Circulation Phenomena, Modelling and Reliability of Passive Systems that Utilize Natural Circulation” (Jointly with TWG-LWR)

Education:

Convened Workshop on “NPP Simulators for Education” (jointly with TWG-LWR)
Convened Course on “Natural Circulation in Water-Cooled Reactors” (with TWG-LWR)

Problems:

Recommendations:

Extend the CRP on "Inter-comparison of Techniques for Pressure Tube Inspection and Diagnostics" through 2005 to address detection and sizing of Zr Hydride “blisters”, determination of oxide layer thickness and hydrogen concentration
With NPES and the TWG-LMNPP, complete the document on HWR Plant Life Management and Life Extension
Collect and share recent experience on Power Up-rating (working with NPES)
Establish a CRP on “Heat Transfer Behaviour and Thermo-hydraulics Code Testing for SCWRs (jointly with TWG-LWR)
Continue to share information on Technical Means for Improving Economics
Prepare a document on “Design, Reliability and Cost Considerations of Passive Safety Systems in Advanced Water-Cooled Reactors” (jointly with TWG-LWR)
For the longer term (beyond the 2006-7 Programme and Budget) potential areas for collaboration are:
Validation of Core Physics Codes
Technology of Fuel Channels
HWR Plant Chemistry and Materials
HWR Thermal Behaviour and Plant Margins
High Temperature Materials for SCWRs (possibly jointly with TWG-LWR)