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Conclusion of Collaboration Arrangement
between the Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN)
and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)
for Cooperation in the Field of Research and Development of Nuclear Energy
Nov. 24, 2006
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and the Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK/CEN) signed the "Collaboration Arrangement for Cooperation in the Field of Research and Development of Nuclear Energy" on November 23, 2006 at the SCK•CEN Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, in order to promote collaboration in a wide range of research on nuclear energy.
1. Background
Researchers both in the former Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) and the former Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) have had contact with those in SCK•CEN, which had engaged in various fields of nuclear and development over 50 years.
On June 16th, 2005, the former JAERI exchanged with SCK/CEN a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the future cooperation in nuclear energy research and development in the presence of His Royal Highness, Prince Philippe of Belgium during his visit to EXPO 2005 held in Japan. Based on this MOU, the Arrangement concluded last week also incorporates those research fields covered by the former JNC.
2. Signing Ceremony
On November 23, 2006, Mr. Yuichi Tonozuka, President of JAEA visited the SCK•CEN Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium and signed the Arrangement together with Prof. Frank Deconinck, Chairman of the Board of Governors of SCK•CEN and Prof. Eric van Walle, General Manager of SCK•CEN.
3. Outline of the Arrangement
The areas of cooperation include:
1) Accelerator Driven System (ADS),
2) Decommissioning and Dismantling,
3) Reactor Structural Material, and
4) High-level Radioactive Waste Disposal,
and other areas may be added.
As for two areas of cooperation, namely, 1) ADS and 2) Decommissioning and Dismantling, JAEA and SCK/CEN are ready to start specific activities for collaboration.
Concerning the ADS 1), the design study for the transmutation of nuclear wastes and relevant experimental facilities will be collaboratively conducted as well as the technological development such as on the materials for Pb-Bi coolant and spallation target.
In the area of the Decommissioning and Dismantling 2), the experience and the knowledge which both parties have accumulated so far can be shared in order to promote efficient decommissioning and dismantling of aging facilities.
The collaboration will be made by exchanging information and staff, or by promoting joint research. The Arrangement remains in force for 5 years and may be extended as necessary by mutual agreement.
1) Accelerator Driven System (ADS):
The Accelerator Driven System (ADS) is an innovative nuclear system combining a subcritical reactor and an intense neutron source, where fission chain reactions in the core are kept by a spallation neutron source driven by a proton accelerator. Since it is operated in subcritical state, the safety property of the system is considered preferable for the effective transmutation of minor actinides, such as Np, Am and Cm, which are contained in high-level radioactive waste and dominate its long-lasting radiotoxicity.
The subcritical reactor will use Pb-Bi as the primary coolant and the spallation source. One unit of 800 MWth ADS coupled with a 30 MW proton accelerator can transmute 250 kg/year of MA which corresponds to the amount of MA produced in 10 units of 1GWe LWR.
The JAEA is planning to build a basic experimental facility called the Transmutation Experimental Facility under the framework of J-PARC project in order to facilitate the research and development of ADS and the transmutation technology. See web page:
http://j-parc.jp/index-e.html
On the other hand, SCK•CEN is planning to build 50 MWth-class ADS called MYRRHA to demonstrate the feasibility of ADS and to prepare a neutron irradiation field. See web page:
http://www.sckcen.be/myrrha/
2) Decommissioning and Dismantling:
Research and development of decommissioning and radioactive waste treatment technology has been carried out in JAEA to ensure safe and rational dismantlement of nuclear facilities and safety of radioactive waste treatment. In the field of decommissioning, JAEA has been making sustained efforts to develop the decommissioning engineering system including data base system and verification system of clearance level. In the field of waste treatment, JAEA has many R&D activities applicable to radioactive waste generated from the reprocessing plant and MOX fabrication facility.
On the other hand, SCK•CEN has been dismantling BR-3 (PWR) with developing various decommissioning technologies and data base system. Along with decommissioning technologies, SCK•CEN has been developing the conditioning technology applicable to the radioactive waste of reprocessing plant.
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