Romania. Annex A-5 [Passive Shutdown Systems for Fast Neutron Reactors]

Full text: The Institute for Nuclear Research (RATEN-ICN) is an R&D centre in Romania established in 1971 to provide scientific and technical support to the national nuclear energy programme. Its activity covers the main technical areas involved in the nuclear field: reactor physics, fuel behaviour, thermohydraulics, accident analysis and nuclear safety assessment, reactor component irradiation tests and examination, plant material investigations, out-of-pile testing, radioactive waste and spent fuel management, radioprotection and environmental impact. The R&D activities are based on a modern and complex infrastructure consisting of two TRIGA reactors (a steady state 14 MW and a pulsed one), postirradiation laboratories, radioactive waste treatment and a conditioning plant, nuclear fuel fabrication and testing, nuclear materials testing, radiochemical laboratories, out-of-pile testing laboratory and other facilities. RATEN-ICN is member of the European Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform and the Implementing Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste Technology Platform, the European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative, the European Energy Research Alliance and more recently of the OECD/NEA, and it has been involved in many Euratom projects covering a broad range of nuclear energy topics (ESNII+, LEADER, MATTER, SEARCH, STYLE, MATISSE, ARCADIA, CAST, ASAMPSA_E, MARISA, MACSIMA, PLATENSO, EAGLE, NEWLANCER, ELSY, etc.). Since 2007, RATEN-ICN has been deeply involved in the design and development of lead cooled fast reactor concepts, and it is a founding member of the Fostering ALFRED Construction (FALCON) consortium devoted to implementation of the Advanced Lead Fast Reactor European Demonstrator (ALFRED). According to the FALCON agreement, RATEN-ICN is the reference option for the ALFRED siting. More recently, in February 2017, by Governmental Decision No. 81, the ALFRED was included in the National Programme for Research, Development and Innovation — PNCDI III as a major European and international project in Romania. This programme supports investment in large infrastructure as well as other types of science based partnerships oriented towards the commercialization of scientific and technological ideas. Romania confirms its option to host the ALFRED and it continues to contribute to its development under the strategic objective (included in the RATEN Strategy for 2015–2025) devoted to studies and developments in the field of heavy liquid metal technology with a specific focus on its application to lead cooled innovative nuclear fission systems and to ALFRED implementation. (author)