ML22220A076
| ML22220A076 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/08/2022 |
| From: | John Mckirgan Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research |
| To: | |
| N. Chandran | |
| References | |
| Download: ML22220A076 (13) | |
Text
Advanced Reactor Research Activities in Nuclear Innovation John McKirgan Deputy Director, Division of Engineering Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Overview of the NRC
- Independent agency that began operations in 1975 Nuclear Radioactive Materials Waste
- Headed by a five-member commission
- Licenses and regulates activities in four key areas Nuclear Nuclear Reactors Security
- Congressionally-mandated Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research supports key areas
NRC Organization Chart Vision and Strategy for Advanced Reactors
Regulatory Considerations
- Rulemaking
- Codes and Standards
- Regulatory Guides
- Review event assessments
- Tracking of Issues
- Construct facilities
- Transport Waste
- Inspections
- Enforcement of Regulatory Actions
- Incident Response
Collaboration Advanced Reactor Licensing NMSS Assessment Process for Advanced Reactor Fuels
- Generic technical assessments
- Assess the impacts of accident tolerant fuels, increased enrichment and higher burnup fuels.
- Stakeholder Engagement Licensing Modernization
- External Coordination Project and Collaboration
- No show-stoppers
- Licensing basis events
- Structures, systems and components classification
- defense in depth features TRISO fuel particle
Spent-Fuel Reprocessing- Timeline Research Activities Reliability of Molten Salt Components & Risk Fuel Cycle Chemistry Reduction Molten Salt Component Performance/ Graphite waste and Compatibility/Corrosion disposal Integrity Modeling & Simulation Technical challenges:
Performance monitoring enrichment, fabrication Molten Salt processing and transportation of for metallic and molten Surveillance programs HALEU fuel salt fuels Advanced sensors Storage systems for waste streams from Off-gas control MSRs
Front-End Considerations o Fuel salt enrichment, production, blending
- Chemical reactivity hazards
- Production of uranium and thorium fuel salts o Transportation package designs to support off-site operations
- Moderator inclusion / Criticality
- Containment performance Fluoride Production for MSRE
Back-End Considerations o Confinement materials compatibility o Dose management o Fluorine gas generation o Graphite waste management Dry Spent Fuel Fuel Drain Tanks/Fuel Casks on Concrete Flush Tank in MSRE Drain Pad at Plant Site Tank Cell
Summary Advanced reactors pose unique challenges for front-end and back-end operations RES collaborating with program offices on establishing future activities to ensure readiness for licensing and certification reviews Continued/expanded engagement with DOE and industry will support mutual understanding of technical and regulatory information needs
Questions? Need More Information?
John McKirgan john.mckirgan@nrc.gov 301-415-5722 NRC Headquarters TWFN/ 08 C08 Rockville, MD The US-NRC Main Page https://www.nrc.gov