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Conference Article: The role of the IAEA in gas-cooled reactor development and application

Abstract

Within the Statute establishing the International Atomic Energy Agency there are several functions authorized for the Agency. One of these functions is ''to encourage and assist research on, and development and practical application of, atomic energy for peaceful uses throughout the world...''. The development of nuclear power is deemed an important application of this function. The representatives of Member States with national gas cooled reactor (GCR) programmes advise the Agency on its activities in the development and application of the GCR. The committee of leaders in GCR technology representing these Member States is the International Working Group on Gas Cooled Reactors (IWGGCR). The activities carried out by the Agency under the frame of the IWGGCR include technical information exchange meetings and cooperative Coordinated Research Programmes. Within the technical information exchange meetings are Specialist Meetings to review progress on selected technology areas and Technical Committee Meetings and Workshops for more general participation. Consultancies and Advisory Group Meetings are convened to provide the Agency with advise on specific technical matters. The Coordinated Research Programmes (CRPs) established within the frame of the IWGGCR for the GCR programme include: Validation of Safety Related Physics Calculations for Low Enriched GCRs. Validation of Predictive Methods for Fuel and Fission Product Behaviour in GCRs. Heat Transport and Afterheat Heat Removal GCRs under Accident Conditions. And Design and Evaluation of Heat Utilization Systems for the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor. This paper summarizes the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in GCR technology development and application.

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Reference:

Technical committee meeting on design and development of gas cooled reactors with closed cycle gas turbines. Beijing (China). 30 Oct - 2 Nov 1995.

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

IAEA-TECDOC--899, pp:257-270