A Review of the UK's Nuclear R&D Capability
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A Review of the UK's Nuclear R&D Capability A report prepared by the Dalton Nuclear Institute, National Nuclear Laboratory and Battelle, commissioned by the Technology Strategy Board in partnership with Materials UK and Regional Development Agencies A Review of the UK's Nuclear R&D Capability A1.0 Review Executive of the summary UK's Nuclear R&D Capability A H Sherry1, P J A Howarth2, P Kearns3 and N Waterman4 Executive summary With a market valued at around • the UK’s R&D potential to develop What is clear, if the UK is to capture £600 billion for new nuclear build and exploit the technology a significant share of the nuclear and £250 billion for • the potential for UK business to energy market it must invest in those decommissioning, waste treatment make an impact in the appropriate areas of nuclear engineering where and disposal, the predicted timeframe there is existing capability and resurgence in the nuclear market • the national and global market experience, and it is perceived by the over the next 20 years could lead to opportunity for exploitation rest of the world to be strong. It must significant opportunities for UK • the potential role for public sector collaborate with other nations where businesses both nationally and intervention that adds value above it can provide world class globally in the area of nuclear and beyond that of private contributions to advanced reactor engineering and its associated investment systems and nuclear fusion power technologies. systems (ITER and DEMO), and also decide that it will not repeat the The study commissioned has been The UK has a strong historic track errors of the 1960s and 1970s by bounded to identify those record in nuclear engineering, researching every conceivable system opportunities associated with having been one of very few for producing power from nuclear technology development yielding a countries that has closed the fission and nuclear fusion. It should potential commercial return over the complete fuel cycle. It has developed stay with the mainstream efforts of next 5-10 years (although the report thermal and fast reactors, other countries and organisations also takes account of longer term reprocessing technology, fuel with the view of collaborating where payback opportunities, where there manufacture, and enrichment appropriate to leverage the more are clear perceived benefits to UK expertise. However, it is recognised recent experience of others. business). It has also focused on that much of this capability (with organisations beyond the main the exception of the defence sector) Even though the next generation of industry players and 1st and 2nd tier has been in decline over the past two reactors (Gen III) to be constructed suppliers to include SMEs. The decades as the UK focus has shifted will be designed by organisations intention has been to understand away from nuclear to other power from overseas (such as Westinghouse what role the sponsors could play in generation sources. With the advent and Areva) the UK’s supply chain still supporting organisations in of a global nuclear renaissance there has a strong role to play. developing and deploying technology should be significant opportunities Opportunities exist mainly in support and innovative products. Therefore, for UK organisations to take of the licensing of the new reactor by definition, the technology advantage of this new market, technology being conducted by the exploitation must be closer to market particularly if a coordinated NII/HSE, advanced modelling to than blue-sky science (such as that approach, which recognises the UK’s improve operational efficiency, funded by the Research Councils), core skills, is taken to develop the reliability and safety, Non-Destructive but not so close that any public- necessary supply chain and skill- Evaluation (NDE) of components and sector investment cannot be justified base. structures during build, operation and could be regarded as anti- and maintenance, improved competitive. This implies investment This report has been commissioned understanding of materials around Technology Readiness Levels by the Technology Strategy Board in degradation mechanisms to ensure (TRL) 3-6 in the technology association with a number of the practical lifetimes in excess of 60 innovation chain. UK’s Regional Development Agencies years, manufacture of components and Materials UK, and assesses the and sub assemblies, assessment of The review has been compiled in UK’s current R&D capacity and the alternative components in the event consultation with many of the major opportunities for UK organisations to of any supply restrictions, the organisations involved in the nuclear develop and deploy innovative development of advanced supply chain in the UK. In addition, technologies to support the civil construction techniques to improve the review has been given an nuclear industry. The review has programme delivery and cost, and international perspective to help specifically addressed; production and recycling of advanced understand the UK’s actual and fuels. The UK has long-established perceived position amongst the R&D strengths in each of these areas. countries at the forefront of nuclear engineering R&D, such as the USA, In addition to support for Gen III France, Japan and India. deployment, opportunities exist to support continued operation of 2 A Review of the UK's Nuclear R&D Capability existing reactors (Gen II), advanced could be utilised in the civil nuclear Some of these areas of special thermal systems (Gen III+) and more market. For example, the Light Water expertise have already demonstrated advanced reactors scheduled for 2020 Reactor nuclear naval propulsion the potential for technology spin-out and beyond (Gen IV). capability within Rolls-Royce has and spin-in, in particular NDE for direct relevance to civil reactor build other large process plant industries There is further opportunity for R&D and operational support. The non- and advanced modelling for areas as and subsequent innovative nuclear proliferation, materials detection, diverse as coastal erosion and flow engineering associated with Gen III+ tracking and safeguarding work at modelling of pollutants in an urban and Gen IV reactors including non- AWE is also relevant to the environment. electricity generating opportunities development of advanced civil such as high temperature process nuclear fuel cycles that are Investment in advanced reactor or heat and desalination. Although proliferation resistant. BAE Systems fuel cycle technology associated with these systems are not likely to be have developed modular construction Gen III+ or Gen IV systems does not deployed commercially until after techniques and virtual reality fit the defined exploitation 2030, there are a number of on-going modelling to support construction, in requirements of this review, given the projects around the world to build addition to being actively engaged in long development timescales and the Demonstrators / Prototypes / Test reactor plant integration and fact that commercialisation is not Reactors and these will create new commissioning. likely for a couple of decades. business opportunities, e.g. the However, investment in such Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) Spent fuel handling technology has advanced systems might be justifiable in South Africa, the High been considered in this report given if it results in new products and Temperature Reactor – Prototype its relevance to advanced fuel cycles, services that could be utilised on Modular (HTR-PM) in China and Fast however assessment has not been existing reactor systems or business Breeder Reactors (FBRs) in several included of market opportunities or opportunities that are likely to exist countries. The UK currently has technology development associated within the next 5-10 years. Examples minimal involvement with these with the decommissioning, legacy that have been included here include: projects although it does have the waste management or geological skills and experience to contribute in disposal markets. These opportunities • Fuel manufacture and several areas of relevant technologies. have been excluded from the study, development – improving burn-up Greater investment in support of however technology development and performance of fuel in R&D on advanced reactor systems is within the industry that could be existing reactors necessary if the UK is to have any transferred from these markets to the • Control, detection and monitoring continuing credibility as a major civil nuclear energy market has been systems – techniques to support player. considered. lifetime assessment of existing reactor systems Construction of new reactors is only The domestic and overseas responses • Materials analysis, assessment and part of nuclear energy deployment; to the review indicate the wider characterisation techniques – supporting infrastructure is required global nuclear industry believes that understanding and predicting associated with the nuclear fuel cycle. the UK has outstanding R&D plant related issues on current This includes conversion of resources capabilities in the following areas: systems into fuel at the front-end prior to • Assessment of advanced fuel cycles loading into the reactor, followed by • Advanced modelling and analysis – support to global threat spent fuel management and handling of reactor cores of all types used reduction programmes associated once fuel is discharged. There is also commercially at present and also with safeguards and non- the potential