| Chair(s): |
Paul SCHUURMANS, Belgium |
Secretary: |
Shahab DABIRAN-ZOHOORY (shahab.dabiran-zohoory@oecd-nea.org) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member(s): | All NEA member countries* | ||
| Russia (Suspended*) | |||
| *Russian Federation suspended pursuant to a decision of the OECD Council. | |||
| EU participation: |
The European Union (EU) takes part in the work of the NEA, in accordance with the NEA Statute and the Supplementary Protocol to the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. | ||
| Observer(s)(International Organisation): |
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) By agreement | ||
| Date of creation: | 30 June 2015 | ||
| End of mandate: | 31 March 2028 |
Mandate (Document reference):
Mandate (Document extract):
Extract from document [NEA/SEN/NSC/WPFC(2026)2]
Background
The former Expert Group on Heavy Liquid Metal (HLM) technology was active for five years. Its main objective was to issue a handbook with a collection of theoretical approaches and experimental data in order to deliver recommendations relevant for the design of HLM nuclear systems. Since the second
version of the handbook has been published, the expert group has re-discussed its scope and future related activities. In particular, as suggested by the Working Party on Scientific Issues of Advanced Fuel Cycle (WPFC), it has been decided to include liquid sodium (Na) activities, and potential activities regarding other innovative coolants of interest, in future work plans of the expert group. Secondly, the expert group was to take the next step in the assessment of available data to bring it closer to application in design, construction and licensing issues on the one hand, and operation, in-service inspection, handling and maintenance on the other hand. To better reflect the scope, the name of the expert group was changed to “Expert Group on Reactor Coolants and Components Technology” (EGCoCoT) in 2020, where the latter term indicates that not only the properties of the coolants themselves are covered but also the effects that a particular coolant has on reactor parts such as, but not limited to, structural materials, chemistry control, thermal hydraulics, component behaviour, safety issues etc.
Scope
Under the guidance of the WPFC, the EGCoCoT will undertake activities with the goal to collect, evaluate and preserve relevant scientific data and "translate" fundamental scientific understanding into application in support of (1) the Development of construction codes used for design (design rules), (2) Key technical issues for licensing, (3) Recommendations for Operation, Inspection and Handling.
Objectives
The topical areas and objectives of the EGCoCoT are:
The objective for this topical area is to assess the environmental effects relevant for construction standards via a fundamental understanding of materials behaviour (corrosion and mechanical properties in the liquid metals and under irradiation). The possibility of experimental data sharing among participants and analyses is to be investigated.
The objective for this topical area is to answer key technical issues to address radiological impact, operation, handling, maintenance and inspection as relevant for licensing.
The objective for this topical area is to collect and assess experimental data in order to improve knowledge of the environmental conditions for materials and the coolant behaviour.
One of the initiatives of the expert group is the updating of the Handbook on Lead-bismuth Eutectic Alloy and Lead Properties, Materials Compatibility, Thermal-hydraulics and Technologies. The group will also focus on activities related to sodium coolants, such as developing a set of evaluations, assessments, and recommendations of sodium thermal-hydraulic correlations data, with use of the IAEA Sodium Properties and Safe Operation of Experimental Facilities in Support of the Development and Deployment of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (NAPRO) project outputs as a reference. The activities to support both initiatives include:
Additionally, the group will look to compile and assess data on the effect of liquid metal environment on material behaviour for both sodium and lead coolants and generate status reports on liquid metal environmental effects (on materials).
Interactions
The EGCoCoT will liaise closely with other NEA bodies, particularly those under the NSC and those operating under the guidance of the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI) to ensure the respective work programmes are complementary and to provide advice and support where required and undertake common work where appropriate. The EGCoCoT will also work in co-operation with the IAEA, in particular with the Technical Working Group on Fast Reactors (TWG-FR). Key sources of experimental data to be reviewed include (but are not limited to) output from IAEA Coordinated Research Project on Sodium Properties and Safe Operation of Experimental Facilities in Support of the Development and Deployment of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (NAPRO, completed in 2018) and the Material Database of the European Commission (MatDB).
Deliverables
The deliverables of EGCoCoT are technical reports, proceedings of seminars/ workshops, state-of-the-art reports, and technical or collective opinion papers, databases, and comparison or benchmark studies. This work will be done in task or benchmark groups, whose work will be organised in a project-like manner with outcomes and milestones. The EGCoCoT will also organise specialist meetings and workshops to further its objectives. The detailed list of deliverables will be tracked in the semi-annual NSC progress reports.
Specifically, the activities of the group will focus on the following deliverables:
