Technical Meeting on Good Practices for the Operation and Maintenance of Research Reactors

For over six decades now, research reactors have played an important role within several fields of basic sciences: in the development of nuclear technology; in the production of radioisotopes for various applications; and in the development of human resources and skills in the nuclear field. Moreover, research reactors have been effectively utilized to support sustainable development in more than 60 countries worldwide.

The IAEA publication entitled Optimization of Research Reactor Availability and Reliability: Recommended Practices (IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NP-T-5.4) identifies management system attributes and good practices supporting optimal research reactor availability and reliability. The IAEA Safety Requirements publication Safety of Research Reactors (IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSR-3) establishes requirements for the safe operation of research reactors. As research reactors continue to operate there is an increasing need for enhancing the existing programmes to involve advanced technologies such as digital instrumentation and control, predictive maintenance, equipment monitoring and ageing management. Collecting and sharing this information within the research reactor community will help in improving operation and maintenance programmes, in particular by preventing the negative consequences on the safety, operability and lifetime of operating or even future research reactors.

Taking into consideration the issues and benefits mentioned above, the IAEA is organizing this Technical Meeting on Good Practices for the Operation and Maintenance of Research Reactors to be held both physically and virtually (hybrid event) at its Headquarters in Vienna from 2 to 6 August 2021.

The following topics will be discussed during the event:

• General experience and activities performed to enhance availability and reliability
• Operating procedures
• Maintenance, periodic testing and inspection programmes
• Core management and fuel handling
• Ageing management, including refurbishment and modernization projects, and equipment qualification programme;
• Operational radiation protection programme
• Management system for operation and maintenance
• Reactor management, staffing, training and qualification, knowledge management and succession planning for safe operation
• Identification of the user requirements, facility needs, scheduling and communication

Deadline for submitting nominations: 31 May 2021