Towards Optimized Use of Research Reactors in Europe

Project Information

TOURR

Grant agreement ID: 945269

DOI

10.3030/945269

Project closed

EC signature date 14 May 2020

Start date 1 October 2020

End date 30 September 2023

Funded under

• Euratom

Total cost

€ 1 095 660,00

EU contribution

€ 1 095 660,00

Coordinated by

EUROPEAN NUCLEAR EDUCATION NETWORK
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - TOURR (Towards Optimized Use of Research Reactors in Europe)

Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

TOURR is the acronym of “Towards Optimized Use of Research Reactors in Europe” project. It is a EURATOM funded coordination action among 9 partners across the European Union (EU) out of which 6 are EU research reactors operators.

The TOURR Project aims at proposing a strategy for the optimization of the European Research Reactor (RR) fleet and realize the tools to facilitate the achievement of the results.

This coordinated action is an answer to the challenge to assess the impact of the decreasing number of RRs, identify future needs (including new neutron sources), draw a roadmap for the upgrade of the existing RR fleet, and a model for harmonized resource management.

The project specific objectives can be summarized as follows:
1. Assessment of the current status of the EU RR fleet
2. Estimation of future needs
3. Plan for the upgrade of the reactor fleet
4. Plan to maintain the fleet
5. Developing tools for optimal use of the RR fleet
6. Rising awareness of decision makers and the public on the role of RR

Nuclear research reactors (RR) have been used in experiments necessary to develop commercial reactors and training programmes. At the same time, neutron irradiations techniques have found new applications in the adaption and production of existing and new materials, as well as medical radioisotopes. Radioisotopes, some of them very rare, enabled the development of new diagnosis and treatment techniques, for the benefit of millions of citizens.

Europe has a broad and very diverse landscape of RR, many of them operating since long time, well maintained and regularly upgraded. Yet the current scenario is not ideal since a combination of declining interest and the absence of a sound financial model, resulted in the closure of many RRs and a few others will close soon.

The main targets of the TOURR project were to assess the impact of the decreasing number of RRs, identify future needs (including new neutron sources), draw a roadmap for upgrading the existing RR fleet, and develop a model for harmonized resource utilization. Another aim of the project it is to evaluate the current and future need for neutron sources and for medical radioisotopes in Europe.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Objective 1 has been achieved. A detailed questionnaire has been prepared and distributed among operating RR in Europe and it collected 84% response rate. A paper describing the work done on this questionnaire in detail has been published in the NENE conference Proceedings. https://www.djs.si/nene2021/proceedings/pdf/NENE2021_318.pdf

A summary of bulk considerations that can be yielded from the questionnaire “Data Base of European RR fleet” has been made publicly available at this link (the questionnaire is provided as appendix to the deliverable): https://www.tourr.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/TOURR_D1.1_Data_Base_of_European_RR_fleet.pdf Given the very sensitive nature of data collected via the questionnaire, a choice was made to provide bulk considerations only for the public deliverable.

The work on the questionnaire outputs proceeded with the production of 3 gap analysis (confidential) that contributed to achieve objective 2 in highlighting gaps versus opportunities per each axes:
• Technological applications
• Medical applications
• Education & training

Objectives 3, 4 and 5 have been tackled in the second half of the project starting from the questionnaire output but going deeper. The main output is represented by a report a “Strategy for optimized use of research reactors in Europe” and a tool to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations provided in the strategy, i.e. “Online platform for optimized use of research reactors in Europe” available at this address: https://tourr-platform.eu/
Furthermore, another public report titled “Recommendations for planning refurbishment of existing research reactors or construction of new ones ” has been published and provides a detailed overview of the current situation of the EU RR fleet and offers suggestions about refurbishment and construction.

Objective 6 has been persecuted by all consortium partners via participation to various events like conferences, symposia, workshops etc. and online promotion.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

TOURR primary objective was to develop a strategy for RR in Europe and prepare the ground for its implementation. The ambition of TOURR project is to secure access and availability of RRs as a vital part of the European Research Area and to support stable supply of medical radioisotopes.

The data gathered via the questionnaire definitely allowed the TOURR consortium to have insights about the current scenario of EU RR. The three gap analysis have highlighted were the opportunities and the gaps can be identified in the various sectors of science & technology, medical applications and education & training.

The expected impact of the NFRP-2019-2020-17 topic is “to contribute to ensure stable supply of medical radioisotopes. In addition, the impact of this action will be the more effective planning of the exploitation of research reactors in the EU for research on non-power applications of ionising radiation and for nuclear energy research and training”.

TOURR project proposed a model for coordinating the European RRs (based on the existing American model NSUF) in areas of their respective exploitation like material testing, education and training, basic research, energy research, isotope production, cancer therapy, etc. The model is supposed to assume complementary utilization patterns and natural synergisms among the participating research reactor facilities. This model has been described in a report and disseminated. It shall be further developed and discussed in appropriate fora to consider how its adoption by RRs could indeed allow for a more efficient use of research reactors in Europe.

The institutions participating in TOURR represent a significant part of RRs in EU whose production lines supply the medical radioisotopes while simultaneously offering significant portion of their irradiation time for Science and Technology (S&T) activities. It is foreseen that the TOURR project will have a serious impact on the planning and eventual refurbishment or construction of new RRs in Europe. It will contribute to more effective utilization planning of the EU RR fleet. Activities have already been carried out to meet this expected impact.

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