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.