1. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
EURATOM Framework Programme Activities in Partitioning & Transmutation and Advanced Reactor Systems
Ved BHATNAGAR
European Commission
Brussels
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

2. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
OUTLINE
EU Energy Concerns and Strategy
Euratom Research Framework Programs (FPs)
FP7 ( )*
FP6 ( )
P&T and Advanced System Activities
Impact of P&T on Waste Management
Conclusions
____________
*Extension of FP7 to 2013 with additional
2-year budget is most likely
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

3. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
EU Energy Concerns
Energy is the driver of economic growth and prosperity
Energy concerns have been a permanent feature of the European reconstruction
Two of the three European treaties deal with energy:
European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Paris 1951
European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) Rome 1957
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

4. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
Energy
OBJECTIVE
Transforming the current fossil-fuel based energy system into a more sustainable one based on a diverse portfolio of energy sources and carriers combined with enhanced energy efficiency, to address the pressing challenges of security of supply and climate change, whilst increasing the competitiveness of Europe’s energy industry.
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

5. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
EU Energy Strategy
Implementation of EU energy strategy requires research and development of new technologies in a variety of areas.
Framework Programs of the European Union have been a very fruitful tool to channel Member States’ common research funds in areas of European–wide interest especially where European added value dominates.
The technologies developed in Europe can be used or adapted by EU industry to meet the needs of other countries.
International collaboration is an important policy element of the EU Framework Programs.
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

6. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
EU Research
There are at present 27 member nations* in the EU.
The principal framework of research in EU is national.
EU framework program (FP) of research is only about 6% of total public financial effort of the entire EU.
The fragmentation, isolation and disparity of regulatory and administrative systems lowers the impact of investment in research, but it is being constantly improved through the establishment of a ‘European Research Area’ (ERA).
_____________________________________
* AT, BE, DK, FI, FR, EL, DE, IE, IT, LU, NL, PT, ES, SE, UK, and
Cyprus, Czech Rep, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania.
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

7. The European Research Area (ERA)
Aim
Mutual Opening up of Programmes among Member States
Achieve greater co-operation between Member States’ research strategy and develop consistent long-term research policy
Implement coherent research activity involving all major players in EU in a given area to achieve well defined goals
Bring its research effort on par with competitors
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

8. Euratom Framework Programs
European Community research has been organised in
Framework Programmes (FP) of durations of 4-5
years since 1984.
FP3: , FP4: , FP5:
FP6: FP7: (possibly to 2013)
Organisation of Euratom Activities is as follows:
Fusion Energy Research
Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection
Nuclear Activities of EC Joint Research Centre (JRC)*
_____
* Activities implemented by JRC are known as ‘direct actions’.
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

9. EURATOM Framework Programs Budget
FP FP ( ) ( )
M€ M€
Fusion Energy Res
Fission & Rad Prot
JRC’s Nuclear Activity
____ ____
Total
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

10. EURATOM FP7 (2007-11) Nuclear Fission & Radiation Protection
Geological disposal of long-lived radioactive waste and the reduction of toxicity of radioactive waste through partitioning & transmutation
Key cross-cutting activities:
- Support for research infrastructures
- retaining competences and know-how in all areas of nuclear science
Operational safety of existing reactor systems and the potential of future reactor systems for safer, more efficient power plants and competitive nuclear industry
Radiation protection – especially risks from low doses, medical uses, emergency management and mitigation of the impact of radiological terrorism
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

11. Technology Platforms in Support of Framework Programs
Technology Platforms: Central Concept
A framework to unite stakeholders around:
a common “vision” for the technology concerned
mobilisation of a critical mass of research and innovation effort
definition of a Strategic Research Agenda
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

12. Technology Platforms: Approach
Wide stakeholder base
- industry, public authorities, research community, financial community, standardisation bodies, regulators, civil society, consumers / end-users
Mobilisation of public and private funding
- national, regional and private research funding, Community Framework Programmes, Structural Funds, European Investment Bank
Education, training, communication, dissemination
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

13. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
Sustainable Nuclear Energy (SNE)-TP (Pradel, Sep. 2007)
The first task that the Platform will address in the coming months is the elaboration of the Strategic Research Agenda.
This research road-map will address the R&D for light water reactors, for Gen. IV fast neutron reactors with closed fuel cycle, as well as the R&D for the VHTR and its applications.
These road-maps will necessarily interact with the research carried out in other initiatives. Of course, the platform will coordinate Europe’s contribution to Generation IV International Forum.
With respect to research into waste management, interactions with the group of waste agencies will need to be further developed, to ensure that solutions for waste disposal take into account the latest developments in processing and conditioning of waste.
And the platform also needs to ensure that its R&D in the area of Very High Temperature reactor technologies and applications, meets the needs of hydrogen, biofuels and syn-fuels users.
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

14. Some High-Level Nuclear Energy Activities in the EU
Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNE-TP) (Launched September 2007)
Gov. Board, Exec. Committee, Secretariat, Gen. Assembly
Working Groups: Strategic Research Agenda, Deployment Strategy, Funding, Education and Training
Link Technical Safety Organisations and Member States Mirror Group
A European Strategic Energy Technology plan
(set-plan): 'Towards a low carbon future'
EC Communication 10 Jan 2007: ‘Energy Package’
Support of Council obtained in March 2007
Further EC Communication in Nov (Technology and Infrastructure roadmap).
European Nuclear Energy Forum (Bratislava and Prague)
(ENEF) (Launched Autumn 2007)
Opportunities and risks of nuclear energy
(Discussion with all stakeholders)
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

15. Management of Radioactive Waste in FP7
OBJECTIVES
Implementation-oriented R&D on all remaining key aspects of deep geological disposal of spent fuel and long-lived radioactive waste and, as appropriate, demonstration on technologies and safety and to underpin the development of a common European view on the main issues related to management and disposal of waste
Research on Partitioning and Transmutation and/or other concepts aimed at reducing the amount and or hazard of the waste disposal
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

16. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
Reactor Systems in FP7
OBJECTIVES
Safety of Nuclear Installations
Continued safe operation of all relevant types of existing reactor systems (including fuel-cycle facilities)
Lifetime extension
Development of new advanced safety assessment methodologies (both technical and human element)
Prevention and mitigation of severe accidents
Advanced nuclear systems:
Improve efficiency of advanced systems and fuels and collaborate with the Generation IV International Forum
Assess potential, proliferation resistance and long-term sustainability including upstream research activities (especially material science), the fuel cycle and innovative fuels and waste management aspects of selected advanced reactor systems
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

17. Cross-cutting Activities in FP7
OBJECTIVES
Infrastructures
To support the availability of, and cooperation between, research infrastructures necessary to maintain high standards of technical achievement, innovation and safety in the European nuclear sector
Activities: e.g. Pilot/test facilities for P & T, MTRs, URLs etc
Human resources and training
To support the retention and further development of scientific competence and human capacity in order to guarantee the availability of suitably qualified researchers and employees in the nuclear sector over the long term
Activities: Training and mobility of researchers
in all areas of nuclear science
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

18. R&D in Partitioning and Transmutation in FP7
Objective
Investigate ways of reducing the amount and/or hazard of the waste by P & T or other techniques
Activities
RTD in all areas of P&T to develop pilot facilities for the most advanced partitioning processes and transmutation technologies involving sub-critical and critical systems.
Explore the potential of concepts that produce less waste in nuclear energy generation including the more efficient use of fissile material in existing reactors.
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

19. EURATOM P&T Budget over several FPs
TBD
43.5 28
4.8
5.8
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

20. FP5 Projects on Partitioning and Transmutation (ADOPT)
FUETRA Cluster:(3.9 M€)
CONFIRM
THORIUM CYCLE
FUTURE
PARTITION Cluster: (5 M€)
PYROREP
PARTNEW
CALIXPART
PDS-XADS (6 M€)
PRELIMINARY DESIGN STUDIES
FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL ADS
BASTRA cluster: (6.5 M€)
MUSE
HINDAS
N - TOF -ND - ADS
TESTRA Cluster: (6.2 M€)
SPIRE • TECLA
MEGAPIE-TEST • ASCHLIM
Total EC budget =27.6 M€
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

21. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
FP6 Projects on P&T
P&T Roadmap
PATEROS
Transmutation of High Level
Nuclear Waste in an ADS
EUROTRANS
System Analysis of an ADS:
Integrated design
Cost, safety and licensing issues
Reliability of accelerators for ADS
Experiment: Coupling of ADS components
Materials and coolant technologies
Advanced fuel and Targets
Basic nuclear data
Education and Training
Critical Systems &
Technologies
ELSY-LFR
PUMA-HTR
Impact of P&T on
Waste Management
RED-IMPACT
Partitioning
Technologies
EUROPART
Innovative Fuels
LWR-DEPUTY
Nuclear Data
EFNUDAT • CANDIDE
NUDAME
Networking HLM
EU Infrastructures
VELLA
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

22. EURATOM FP6 P&T Projects Underway

23. EURATOM FP6 Advanced Reactor Systems
and Cross Cutting Projects underway

24. EURATOM FP6 Reactor Safety Projects underway

25. EURATOM FP7 P&T and Advanced Reactor Systems Projects

26. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
P&T and Advanced Systems Planned Topics for FP and 2010 Call for Proposals
FP Call
Improved Nuclear Data for Advanced Reactor Systems
Thermal Hydraulic Issues and Computational Fluid Dynamics Codes for Advanced Reactors
Conceptual Design for Lead and Gas Cooled Fast Reactor Systems
FP Call
Reliability and Efficiency of High-Power Proton Accelerator Components and System Design for Continuous Operation of Transmutation Devices
Support Experiments for Validation of Design Activities of Critical and Sub-critical Lead-Cooled Fast Spectrum Transmutation Facilities
Fuel and Cladding for Advanced Reactors and Transmutation Devices
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

27. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
Reliability and Efficiency of High-Power Proton Accelerator Components and System Design for CW Operation of Transmutation Devices
The objective of the research activity is to design and develop advanced components for a high-power proton beam linear accelerator that can operate with only a very few, say 2-4, interruptions per month.
The scope of activities for achieving the above goal should be targeted toward a
Development of reliable linear accelerator components in low, medium and high-energy sections
Appropriate design techniques for reliable and advanced digital RF control systems
Advanced detection techniques of beam interruptions and component breakdown with automatic switching to standby duplicated components to provide the beam uninterrupted
Development of fault-tolerance concepts, modular designs with redundancies and operation of precision components in under-rated conditions
Develop advanced maintenance techniques via standardization, optimal accessibility of components for replacement in the plant and
Testing and operation of an integrated system for a feasibility demonstration of the above objective.
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

28. Conceptual Roadmap for Industrial Deployment of
P&T and LFR (To be merged with SNE-TP)
ADS/LFR : AR–PU + AFF–PU
Aux 2
PWR
SPENT
FUEL
Aux 1
RE-PROCESSING + FUELS
ADS/LFR: AR–IU + AFF–IU
Aux 3
CONCEPTUAL
DESIGN +
TEST FACILITIES
ADS / LFR
EXPERIMENTAL REACTOR
Step 1
ADS/LFR
DEMONSTRATION REACTOR
Step 2
MATERIALS + COOLANTS
Aux 1
ADS : Accelerator Driven System
FR : Fast Reactor
MA : Minor Actinides
AR : Advanced Reprocessing
AFF : Advanced Fuel Fabrication
PU : Pilot Unit
IU : Industrial Unit
ADS/LFR : INDUSTRIAL DEPLOYMENT
Step 3
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

29. Waste Management Strategy for sustainability of nuclear energy
‘BURN or BURY’ ?
Partitioning and
transmutation (P&T)
Geological disposal (GD)
←P&T
GD→
Once-through cycle (‘disposal of spent fuel as it is’) is not sustainable!
Reprocessing leads the way towards sustainability of nuclear energy!
Burning of MA reduces 'radio-toxic inventory' of the ‘buried’ waste
and reduces risks in case of a 'human intrusion‘:
(inadvertent or advertent grave diggers’ and proliferation risks).
Both vectors (Burn and Bury) are necessary and complimentary. Their
relative magnitude is a matter of hot debate!
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

30. Waste Management Strategy for sustainability of nuclear energy
‘BURN or BURY’ ?
Separation of main heavy metals reduces the volume and thermal output and extraction of heat-bearing (Sr and Cs) components permits a reduction in the needed size of the repository.
Transmutation can reduce the half-life of most of the waste to be buried to a couple of hundred years overcoming the concerns of the public related to the long-life of the waste thus aiding the ‘burying lobby’ in securing a 'broadly agreed political consensus' of waste disposal in geological repositories.
Additional cost, additional secondary waste, activation products and ILW and dose to workers in the process of reprocessing and Transmutation itself will contribute to defining an optimal transmutation scheme.
P&T has an added value of training many researchers in nuclear science and contributes to retaining of competence.
Though the maximum eventual ‘dose' to human beings from a geological repository is likely to be due to fission products, some evidence is appearing that minor actinides are also mobile.
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

31. Waste Management Strategy for sustainability of nuclear energy
‘BURN or BURY’ ?
Generation IV safe advanced nuclear reactor concepts that burn waste and produce fuel for further use are gaining increased attention as a possible future course of action.
It is clear that reprocessing of the spent fuel for a sustainable nuclear energy and fuel cycle would be required no matter what path of transmutation is followed.
Efforts for the advanced partitioning processes should be reinforced towards pilot and test facilities for optimised separation processes in close cooperation with fuel fabrication teams and geological disposal (GD) community.
The GD community should embrace the opportunity offered by P&T to ease the acceptance of geological repositories by society and make the best use of accepted sites by removal of long-lived and heat producing radio-nuclides from the waste.
The GD community should especially take into account the requirements and accommodate the waste streams emanating from the advanced (minor-actinide) reprocessing systems with a view to transmutation whether in sub-critical or critical devices.
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008

32. V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008
Conclusions
We should no longer discuss
‘The future of P&T’
‘P&T is the future!’ (hyperbole)
P&T is essential for the sustainability of nuclear energy (more realistic)
Geological disposal (GD) is indispensable
Thus, both vectors ‘Burn and Bury’ are required for sustainability of nuclear energy
GD and P&T (Advanced Fuel Cycle) communities should work together for the future of nuclear energy!
V. Bhatnagar, EC, Brussels, ADSR, Manchester, UK, 08 Sep 2008