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06.05.2005 1

Nuclear Related Activities in Norway

Presented at:Plenary Meeting of the TWGFPT

25-27 April 2005IAEA Headquarters, Vienna

Margaret McGrath

06.05.2005 2

Overview1. Norway continues to have an active engagement

with the safety of Russia’s Kola power stations2. There are two test reactors in Norway:

• JEEP II at IFE-Kjeller – used for medical isotope production and neutron beam research

• HBWR at IFE-Halden – used for fuel and nuclear material research

3. IFE-Kjeller has radioactive waste facilities & hot labs4. IFE-Halden is home to the Halden Reactor Project

(HRP) - a joint undertaking of national organizations in 18 countries sponsoring a jointly financed programme under the auspices of the OECD - NEA

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1. Support of Kola Power Stations• Norway as been working with Kola NPP to improve

safety since 1992• Annual budget for Norway is 120 MNOK (~$20M)• Many tasks completed e.g.

• Upgrade of control system for diesel generators• PSA for reactor 2• Supply of equipment & training for pool-side inspection

• Tasks ongoing:• Implementation of safety parameter display system (SPDS) for

reactors 3 & 4• Implementation of core surveillance system (SCORPIO)• Supply of equipment & training for visual inspection, vibration

control & diagnostics and water chemistry monitoring

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2a. JEEP II at IFE-Kjeller

• Production of radioactive isotopes for medical and technical purposes

• Neutron Transmutation Doping (NTD) of silicon

• Only facility in Norway to provide facilities for Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)

• possibility of multi-element analysis of geological & biological samples to low detection limits

• Gamma irradiation• microbe reduction in spices• sterilization of medical equipment

• Neutron beam radiography

• 2 MW reactor providing a maximum thermal neutron flux of 1.3 x 1013 cm-2 s-1

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2b. HBWR at IFE-HaldenThermal power : 20MW

Operating temp.(max) : 240OC

Operating pressure (max.) : 33.6 bar

Moderator : Heavy water

Heavy water volume : 14m3 total

Type of fuel : Uranium oxide

Thermal neutron flux : 1-5x1013 n/cm2

Ramp configuration : 1.2x1014 n/cm2

Fast neutron flux : 0.5-3x1013 n/cm2

Booster rigs : 4-6x1013 n/cm2

BWR/PWR/CANDU/AGR conditions are simulated in loop systems

Heat exchanger Steam

Water

Reactor

Halden Boiling Water Reactor(HBWR)

The reactor plant is located underground in rockSteam production for adjacent paper millCooling of the reactor by natural circulation2 operation periods of about 100 days each per year

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3. IFE-Kjeller• IFE operates the only radioactive waste treatment plant in

Norway• Low and intermediate level radioactive waste (from test reactors, industry,

defence, health and research institutes) is treated and contained for long-term storage in solid form

• IFE is in addition the operator of the national, combined storage/disposal facility for radioactive waste in Himdalen

• Kjeller has hot labs facilities utilised mainly by OECD HRP• Fuel and fuel rod production• Re-fabrication of commercially irradiated fuel and fuel rod instrumentation• Pre-characterisation of test fuel and samples and PIE

• Since the announcement that Studsvik’s R2 test reactor is to close, Studsvik have entered into a cooperation agreement with IFE covering neutron irradiation (JEEP II), PIE and in-pile ramp testing of fuel in HBWR

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4. IFE-Halden: OECD HRP test facilitiesIn-core Connector

Outlet Coolant ThermocouplesFuel Centre - line Thermocouple

Neutron absorber

Pressure transducer (PF)

He-3 coil

Neutron Detector (V-type)

Differential Transformer (LVDT)Inlet Coolant ThermocouplesInlet Turbine Flowmeter

Shroud (Ø 73/71mm)

Calibration Valve

Fuel Rod storageposition

Fuel Rod rampposition

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4. IFE-Halden: OECD HRP test program• Fuel behaviour and properties

Thermal performanceFission gas release and rod overpressurePellet-clad mechanical interaction

• Cladding behaviour and propertiesCladding creepCladding corrosionLOCA investigations

• Various fuel types:standard and modified UO2MOX and inert matrix fuelUO2 with gadoliniaVVER fuel

• Plant lifetime assessment• IASCC• Stress relaxation• Pressure vessel integrity

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4. IFE-Halden: OECD HRP Man Machine• Human Performance• Design and Evaluation of Human

System Interfaces and Control Centres

• Visualisation Technologies (VR) supporting Design, Planning & Operation and Training

• Surveillance and Control Systems in Operation and Maintenance

• Software Systems Dependability