The IAEA programme on research reactor safety - An update

There are close to 270 operating research reactors (RR) worldwide. Only four of these reactors are new (i.e., commissioned in 1995 or later), while 23 reactors have been shutdown in this period. Technical and safety problems, lack of strong utilization programmes and of adequate budgets and concern about ageing are the primary causes for this situation. Indeed, over 50% of the operating RRs are over 30 years old, and 25% are between 20-30 years old. On this background, decommissioning programmes gain increasing importance beside plans for refurbishment of old reactors. The IAEA's programme on RR Safety entails three major projects: (1) The development of guidance documents on research reactor safety, covering both general aspects and special topics of current concern; 2) rendering advisory other services related to RR safety to Member States, such as safety review missions, training courses, and other technical assistance through Technical Co-operation Projects; and 3) promotion of the sharing and exchange of information on RR safety through the organization of conferences and topical seminars and of coordinated research programmes and through the establishment and maintenance of an Incident Reporting System for RRs (IRSRR). Essentially, the actual programme is constantly modified to reflect current needs and concerns. Thus, among the new documents developed are guidelines for the determination of source terms for RR safety analyses and emergency planning a guide on RR core and fuel handling, and another guide on extended shutdowns and mothballing of RRs. Among the new services envisaged are extension of the NPP ASSET service (Assessment of Safety Significant Events Teams) to RRs, conducting trainings on self assessments, and providing specific assistance to regulatory bodies. An expansion of the number and types of technical assistance regional and country projects and training courses is also planned. The new Incident Reporting System for RRs launched last year is an example of a new effort the experience-sharing area. In this context, it is worthwhile to mention the Agency's programme on the enhancement of the safety of nuclear installations. The Agency started in this framework, in 1997, an extra-budgetary programme in some countries of South East Asia, the Pacific and the Far East intended to assist these countries to strengthen nuclear safety and, particular, to enhance the technical capabilities of regulatory authorities and supporting technical organizations. This programme includes the preparation of country profiles for prioritizing the developed action plans, and encompasses research reactors as well as nuclear power plants. This paper surveys briefly the RR situation worldwide and provides a brief yet fairly complete picture of the Agency's current and planned activities in this area. (author)