Prof. Mujid S. Kazimi, Director of the Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems (CANES) made his Congratulatory address to the establishment of CRINES.

On February 26, 2006, Prof. Mujid S. Kazimi, Director of the Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems (CANES) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), visited Prof. H Sekimoto of CRINES. The two exchanged memoranda of understanding (MOU) addressing future joint research and confirmed their respective organizations’ determination to work for their joint success.

　
Exchange of MOU
CANES Director Prof. Kazimi (right) and CRINES Director Prof. Sekimoto

MOU exchanged at meeting

The Second Tokyo Tech-MIT Symposium on Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems was held in both Kamakura and Tokyo on July 23-25, 2007, with 13 guests from MIT. The first symposium had been held in November 2005 at the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The co-sponsors for the Second Symposium were COE-INES, CRINES, and CANES of MIT. The sessions on July 23-24 were technical presentations and were held at the Kamakura Wakamiya Hotel in the city of Kamakura. Attendance was approximately 70, with a total of 26 presentations. On July 25, there was a tour of Research Laboratory for Nuclear Reactors at Tokyo Tech for the guests from MIT. There was also a poster presentation by doctoral students and a special educational session. MIT-CANES Director Prof. Mujid S. Kazimi also paid a formal visit to Tokyo Tech President Prof. Masuo Aizawa.

One of the focal points of this second symposium was the education of doctoral students, as well as the presentation of research results. Just before the symposium proper, there was a workshop on July 19-20, sponsored by the doctoral students of both institutions, entitled “Developing a Game for Ordinary Citizens to Educate Them on Nuclear Power”. The workshop was led by Prof. Miyako Takagi (Nippon University), Mr. Masayuki Yamato (TEPCO) and Mr. Takanobu Kimura (F9, a game software producer), and the process of creating the game was later described on TEPCO’s website. Each of the students had already created a game or a game concept, explained their creation in a seminar with a faculty advisor, and then revised it. The students continued to discuss their game concepts and announced their conclusions at the special educational session on July 25. Over 130 people attended this session. President Aizawa opened the session and then representative doctoral students from each of the universities gave a lecture to explain their designs. There were 7 presentations, of which 2 were joint Tokyo Tech- MIT productions, describing games. The presenters were quite enthusiastic about their topics. Students of the two universities had many opportunities to get to know each other through the workshops and the accommodations they shared in Kamakura. The exchange between the universities ended successfully with a lecture by CRINES Professor Akio Minato at the closing banquet on July 25.

We look forward to further development and growth of COE-INES and CRINES activities so that these exchanges can be continued and expanded.

Kamakura session

Participants from MIT

Visit of Prof. Kazimi (MIT) to Tokyo Tech President Aizawa
(from left: Director Sekimoto, Prof. Kazimi, President Aizawa)

CRINES and CANES confirm that the “Memorandum of Understanding between CRINES and CANES (which was originally effective from February 26, 2006) has been extended for an additional period of five years, effective from April 1, 2008 through to March 31, 2013.

New MOU between CRINES and CANES

Prof. Ronald G. Ballinger and Mr. Mike Short, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering,Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, visit at CRINES Tokyo Tech on December 21 (Mon.),2009. Prof. Ballinger made an academic lecture entitled on “Environmental Effects on MaterialsBehavior in Current and Advanced Nuclear Systems” at RLNR.

Photo 1 Compliment visit to CRINES of the MIT delegates (From right, Obara, Mr. Short,Sekimoto, Prof. Ballinger, Kato)

Photo 2 Prof. Ballinger in his academic lecture

The Third International Symposium on Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems (INES-3)-Innovative Nuclear Technologies for Low-Carbon Society- was held successfully at Ookayama Campus of Tokyo Tech during 31st October to 3rd November, 2010.  The symposium which was organized by CRINES and Research Laboratory for Nuclear Reactors, Tokyo Tech, had 148 registered participants and the special lecture by Dr. Gilleland, TerraPower, USA, six excellent plenary lectures, and 76 oral and 34 poster presentations.  The organizers greatly thank all of cooperators for the event.

Photo INES-3 Participants

Prof. Ronald G. Ballinger, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, visit at CRINES Tokyo Tech on December 15, 2010.  Prof. Ballinger made an academic lecture entitled on “A Few Materials Issues for Current and Future (?) Nuclear Power Systems”. 

Photo 1　Compliment visit to CRINES of the MIT delegates
(From right, Kato,　Prof. Ballinger, Sekimoto, Obara)

Photo 2　Prof. Ballinger in his academic lecture and participated students

Prof. Ronald G. Ballinger, Assoc. Prof. Jacopo Buongiorno, CANES, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, participated in the 3rd International Forum of Energy G-COE of Tokyo Tech with seven students during December 9-14, 2010.  It was confirmed together the cooperation between MIT and Tokyo Tech in nuclear research and education fields. 

Photo 1. From right: Prof. Buongiorno, Prof. Ballinger, Kato, Obara

Photo 2　Prof. Ballinger and his student

CRINES was visited by Rentsendoo Jigjid, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Mongolia, on March 21, 2006 (Vernal Equinox Day, a Japanese national holiday). Mr. Jigjid and Director H. Sekimoto exchanged information about environmental, energy and nuclear power issues and then discussed small nuclear reactors. On the afternoon of the national holiday, they also chatted about their respective nations’ cultures.

In 2006, Mongolia celebrated the 800th anniversary of its founding by Chingis Khaan, and, in 2007, it marked the 35th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations with Japan. At CRINES, we hope that our two nations will have increasingly friendly relations, and we will continue to do our best to contribute to this process.

Rentsendoo Jigjid, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Mongolia
and Prof. H. Sekimoto, Director of CRINES

Tuvden Ochirkhuu, former Energy and Natural Resources Minister of Mongolia, was escorted by the Mongolian Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Rentsendoo Jigjid on a tour of the premises of CRINES on the campus of the Tokyo Institute of Technology on April 20, 2006.

Director Prof. H. Sekimoto gave an overview of the activities at COE-INES and CRINES. Mr. Ochirkhuu described Mongolia’s energy situation and its approach to nuclear power. He then asked several questions about small nuclear reactors, which were answered in detail by Prof. Sekimoto.

Interest in nuclear power is high in Mongolia, and the authorities are investigating its prospects. The former minister expressed a strong determination for further ties with Japan, especially in education in nuclear energy.

CRINES Director Prof. H. Sekimoto traveled to Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, in September 2006 at the invitation of the National University of Mongolia (NUM). He arrived in Ulaanbaatar on September 9, with Mr. Kazuo Uoi. Mr. Uoi is the director of Kadokawa Research Institute and Knight Class 1 of the Kingdom of Norway, and is supporting CRINES’ Mongolian Program. On the next day, the Vice President of NUM, Prof. Suren Davaa escorted them on a tour of the city and its surroundings. Nuclear power is being considered for resolving the problem of smog in Ulaanbaatar, as the use of coal for winter heating creates terrible conditions. Prof. Sekimoto recommended a district heating system addressing this issue as the first step of nuclear energy utilization in Mongolia.

On the morning of September 11, Prof. Sekimoto and Mr. Uoi met the President of NUM; in the afternoon, they met several members of the State Great Hural in the Government Palace. After these meetings, Prof. Sekimoto gave a lecture on small reactors at the auditorium in NUM.

In the morning of September 12, they met the Prime Minister Mr. Miyegombo Enkhbold and the Minister of Education, Culture and Science (Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission), Mr. Ulziisaikhan Enkhtuvshin. The Prime Minister mentioned energy and smog problems and his expectations of nuclear energy for solving them. Prof. Sekimoto mentioned the necessity of establishing regulations and systems for promoting nuclear programs, and importance of education and cultivation of required personnel. The Prime Minister showed a strong interest in these topics, and requested the support of Tokyo Tech for the nuclear program promoted by NUM. In the afternoon, Prof. Sekimoto and Mr. Uoi visited the Nuclear Research Centre in NUM.

The city of Ulaanbaatar covered by smog (from top of a small hill in the south of the city)

On October 24, 2006, the CRINES Debriefing Session − Report on the Visit to the Mongolian National Government and the National University of Mongolia – was held at Ferrite Memorial Hall in the Tokyo Tech Centennial Hall. Prof. Sekimoto and Mr. Uoi gave presentations. Mr. Rentsendoo Jigjid, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Mongolia, greeted the guests and described the strong interest of the Mongolian authorities in strengthening ties with Japan with the goals of developing nuclear power plants and educating Mongolian citizens. He expressed hope that the countries will deepen their cooperation.

Japanese article in:              Genshiryoku Eye (January 2007)
Mongolian article in:            Mongol Messenger, Friday, February 16, 2007; "Mongolia to Go Nuclear", http://www.mongolmessenger.mn/issue/060937.php

CRINES representatives paid their second visit to the National University of Mongolia on July 6-7, 2007. Representing CRINES were Director Prof. H. Sekimoto, member Toru Obara, CRINES Professor Dr. Akio Minato, and Dr. Kazuo Uoi (Kadokawa Research Institute). They fielded numerous questions from their hosts about nuclear power development and interviewed students who hope to study at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

They also had the opportunity to hold discussions with Prof. Dr. S. Enkhbat, Vice Chairperson of the Nuclear Energy Commission, and Mrs. N. Bolormaa, Chairperson of Ulaanbaatar City Council. The representatives then toured a local heating facility. On their previous visit to Mongolia, the seat of the Vice Chairperson of Nuclear Energy Commission had been open; however, this time it was filled with a specialist on nuclear power who was actively pursuing the business of the commission, and many future developments were discussed. Ulaanbaatar suffers from a considerable level of pollution. The Mongolians have shown strong interest in nuclear power, and, on this visit, the Chairperson of City Council gave them a detailed update on the situation in Ulaanbaatar.

On the second day of their trip, the CRINES representatives toured the District Heating Plant of the Nalaikh District and were then taken to the outskirts of the city to observe people practicing for horse-racing events in the upcoming Naadam festival, to which the Crown Prince of Japan was scheduled to make a long-anticipated visit. They were relaxing in the home of the horse trainer who had accompanied them when Prime Minister Miyegombo Enkhbold walked in! All drank a toast to Japanese-Mongolian relations.

CRINES Director Prof. H. Sekimoto and CRINES Professor A. Minato visited the National University of Mongolia on December 24-25, 2007. They discussed the future energy situation in Mongolia, university-level education and research issues in nuclear engineering and agreed on topics of study in preparation for the next visit.

On the second day, they woke early to tour the largest power and heat supply plant in Mongolia. Designated TPP4, it boasts an output of 540 MW of electric power and 1185 Gcal of heat. Profs. Sekimoto and Minato visited another coal-fired plant in the town of Zuunmod Sum (pop. 10,000), Tuv Province. These visits were an opportunity to study how heat is supplied to customers in Mongolia. In Zuunmod Sum, they were shown another defunct large-scale heat supply plant in the town. It was constructed by the former Soviet Union but had been forced to shut down soon after commencing operations.

Mongolian Delegation (Leader: Prof. Davaa, National University of Mongolia, Director of Nuclear Research Center) visited Japan for nuclear reactor investigation from 10 to 17 May, 2008. They visited CRINES on Monday 12 May and discussed on small reactor program in Mongolia and future collaboration between Nuclear Research Center and CRINES. They visited Hokkaido from 13 to 15 May. Prof. Sekimoto joined this trip partly. On Friday 16 May they visited Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute (KURRI) escorted by Prof. Sekimoto and Prof. Minato. Prof. Mishima (Vice Director, KURRI) and Prof. Nakajima (KURRI) gave lectures on facilities and research activities in KURRI, and made a guided tour of research reactor (KUR), critical assemblies (KUCA) and accelerator for ADS (FFAG).

Director Sekimoto visited General Atomics on 11 June 2008, while he was staying in Anaheim for attending ICAPP. General Atomics is well known for TRIGA research reactors. He investigated TRIGA reactors, TRIGA power systems, licensing bases and some other items useful for Mongolian small reactor R&Ds.

CRINES Director Prof. H. Sekimoto, CRINES Professor A. Minato and CRINES member Prof. Y. Kato visited the National University of Mongolia on July 3-4, 2008.
They interviewed students who hope to study at the Tokyo Institute of Technology from October 2009. They discussed with the members of the Nuclear Research Center (NRC) on the nuclear energy program in Mongolia and research reactors, especially on the research topics using these research reactors.

Meeting at NRC

On July 3 they visited Ministry of Foreign Affairs and met Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Undraa, Head of the International Relations and Cooperation Department, Office of the Capital City Governor, Mr. T. Batkhuu, and some others. They discussed on the energy program of Ulaanbaatar and Mongolia. On July 4 they met President of Mongolian Academy of Science (MAS) Prof. B. Chadraa and discussed on the general issues on nuclear engineering in Mongolia.

At MAS: from left to right, Director of NRC Prof. Davaa, Ass.
Prof. Kato, Director of CRINES Prof. Sekimoto,
President of MAS Prof. Chadraa, and CRINES Prof. Minato.

The term of their stay in Mongolia from July 2 to 5 is just in the four-day state of emergency lifted against for the post-election riots on July 1. In this occasion they arrived at the Hotel by walk. The meeting with Prof. Chandraa was set not in the main office of MAS, which was closed for the emergency, but in a branch outside the central area.

CRINES Prof. MINATO participated to the UBC2008 (Ulaanbaatar Conference on Nuclear Physics and Application）, which was held on Sept. 8-11, 2008 at Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia and presented the Application of Nuclear Energy – Research Reactor and Small Reactor.  He discussed the future plan of the nuclear research in Mongolia with the related persons of National University of Mongolia and so on. He also exchanged information with the diplomats of Japanese Embassy in Mongolia about the present Mongolian situation and so on.

Participants to UBC2008

Attending the presentation

New student Mr. Munkhbat came to Japan from Mongolia on September 29, 2008. He is the first student who studies in Department of Nuclear Engineering, International Graduate Course, Tokyo Tech. He is expected to become a leader of nuclear research and development in Mongolia after getting enough knowledge and experiences on nuclear engineering (especially on small reactors) in Japan.

With his advisor Prof. Obara

Four Mongolian delegates visited Japan from 29 March to 2 April 2009. They are from National University of Mongolia and Mongolian University of Science and Technology.

In the morning on 30 March they visited the research reactor (TRIGA MarkII) of Musashi Institute of Technology (Musashi Reactor). At the beginning Prof. Matsumoto presented the history of the reactor from the planning and construction to shutdown and fuel shipping to US.  Then they visited the reactor and experimental facilities.  Though it had already been shutdown, they could learn a lot of knowledge on the research reactor.

At Musashi Reactor (from left: Prof. Chadraabal, Ms. Odmaa, Prof. Amartaivan, Prof. Norov)

In the afternoon on the same day they visited Shiodome Urban Energy Corporation to see district heating systems.

Meeting of CRINES Special Committee on Small Reactors was held on the whole day 31 March at the Meeting room of Research Laboratory for Nuclear Reactors, Tokyo Tech.
In the morning from the Mongolian participants following five topics were presented:
Nuclear technology education and nuclear physics study in Mongolia by Ms. Odmaa (originally by Prof. Khuukhenkhuu, He could not come because of his bad health condition.)
NAA and isotope production in Mongolia by Prof. Amartaivan
Condensed matter structural study by Prof. Chadraabal
Power demand and perspective by Prof. Norov
A possible type of research reactor for Mongolia by Ms. Odmaa
In the afternoon from the Japanese participants following seven topics were presented:
Small reactor design modified from PWR by Prof. Shimazu
Development of nuclear reactor by Prof. Obara
Natural circulation small LWR-type reactor design for district heating by Prof. Sekimoto
Role of mechanical engineering for nuclear reactor by Prof. Takahashi
Nuclear engineering education in Tokyo Institute of Technology by Prof. Obara
Education of Nuclear Engineering in Tokai University by Prof. Takaki
Nuclear Power Plants in Japan by Prof. Minato

Presentation

After these presentations discussion session was held.  In order to discuss the roadmap for the future utilization of nuclear energy in Mongolia, an example was presented.

Committee meeting

After the meeting they had talked with Mongolian students.

With Mongolian students

In the Tokyo Tech Campus

On 1 April they visited HTTR (High Temperature Test Reactor) at JAEA. They observed not only HTTR but SI system for hydrogen production.

CRINES Prof. Minato visited to National University of Mongolia (NUM) and others on Aug. 20 and 21, 2009.  It was agreed that the relation during the roadmap of nuclear development in Mongolia, the research plan including research reactor utilization and training of human resource should be clarified, these related materials including the roadmap should be drafted by the Mongolian side in accordance with the guideline of IAEA and should be proposed to the Mongolian Government as basic materials to establish the future nuclear development scenario in Mongolia based on the discussion of the meeting to be held on September, 2009.

Members of CRINES Small Reactor Committee (Director Sekimoto, Prof. Minato, Prof. Obara (Tokyo Tech), Prof. Shimazu (Hokkaido Univ.), Prof. Matsumoto (Tokyo City Univ.) and Takaki (Tokai Univ.)) visited Mongol from 19 to 23 September 2009, and participated in the Japan-Mongolia Meeting on Roadmap for Mongolia Nuclear Program held at National University of Mongolia (NUM).  From Mongolian side, Prof. Davaa (Rector of NUM) presented on “Personnel Education Plan”, Prof. Damdinsuren (Deputy Director General, Nuclear Energy Agency) on “Basic Duty and Organizational Structure of Nuclear Energy Agency” and Prof. Chadraa on “Some Idea on Mongolia Nuclear Program”.  Prof. Khuukhenkhuu (NUM) talked on history of Mongolian research works on nuclear physics and his idea on future works using a research reactor.   The Mongolian members will make their proposal after taking advisees of Japanese members.

Japanese members at the entrance of NUM, from right Prof. Matsumoto, Director Sekimoto, Prof. Minato, Prof. Obara, Prof. Shimazu and Prof. Takaki

At the meeting, from right Prof. Davaa, Prof. Chadraa, Prof. Amartaivan, Prof. Lodoysamba, Prof. Dashpuntsag

At the meeting, from right Prof. Damdinsuren, Prof. Amartaivan, Prof. Davaa

The Japanese members also met Ambassador Kidokoro at Japanese Embassy on Ulaanbaatar and exchanged information.

CRINES Prof. Minato visited National University of Mongolia during 1 to 2 of March, 2010, and joined the discussion and made some comments on the Roadmap for the nuclear power energy utilization in Mongolia, which was proposed recently.

Meeting with Mr. Manlaijav, Director of the Nuclear Technology
Authority at Nuclear Energy Agency

The Rector of NUM, Prof. Davaa visited Tokyo Tech and made a lecture on “Nuclear Energy Program in Mongolia” at CRINES Seminar on March 8, 2010.
Slides

Mr. Dambiin Dorligjav, Head, the Office of the President, Mongolia, visited CRINES, Tokyo Tech on March 10, 2010 with Mr. Jigjid, Ambassador of Mongolia, and other members. Director Sekimoto gave them a briefing on 1) Collaboration between Nuclear Research Centre, National University of Mongolia and CRINES, Tokyo Tech, 2) Science and Engineering of Nuclear Energy, and 3) Feasible Nuclear Energy Program in Mongolia.

Briefing

(L-R) translator, Erdenebat (Legal Assistant to the President of Mongolia), Minato(CRINES Professor), Sekimoto (CRINES Director), Dorligjav (Head, Office of the President), Jigjid (Ambassador of Mongolia), Erdenidawa (First Secretary of Mongolian Embassy), officer of MOFA

Director Sekimoto and Prof. Minato visited Mongolia on April 28-May 1 to help construction of Mongolian Education and Research Roadmap on Nuclear Energy. On the whole day of April 29 they discussed with members from National University of Mongolia (NUM) on the roadmap proposal prepared by NUM. In the next day morning they visited Japanese Embassy and exchanged their information and discussed with Ambassador Kidokoro on Mongolian nuclear program and cultivation of human resources for it. After that in the same morning they visited also Nuclear Technology Authority (Nuclear Energy Agency) and talked with Director Manlaijav on Mongolian nuclear program and cultivation of human resources for it. In the afternoon they visited Mr. Ganbold, Vice Mayor of Ulaanbaatar City, and talked on the possibility of nuclear energy utilization in Ulaanbaatar City. After this meeting they came back to NUM and summarized their works.

CRINES Prof. Minato visited National University of Mongolia (NUM) during 22 to 23 of July, 2010 and confirmed the comments on the roadmap for the nuclear energy utilization in Mongolia, which were given from the government side and discussed on the countermeasure for those comments too.  The future activity will be focused to the discussion for the establishment of the graduate school in NUM.

CRINES Director Prof. H. Sekimoto, CRINES Professor A. Minato and CRINES member Assoc. Prof. T. Obara visited the National University of Mongolia (NUM) on September 18-19, 2010.

The proposed educational subjects for new course, which will be established for the undergraduate students in the nuclear engineering field, were discussed and the detail of the subjects for the new course was fixed.

Application conditions for the selection of international students and the acceptable research field at the doctor course were explained and the schedule until the selection was also confirmed.

Information exchange related to the future Mongolia nuclear program including research reactor, the utilization of uranium resource and so on was also carried out.

Meeting at Nuclear Research Center (NRC) of NUM

Rector Tumur-Ochir, National University of Mongolia, visited CRINES with Vice Rector Galtbayar and Prof. Batkhuu on October 20, 2010. They met Director Sekimoto and expressed their gratitude for our help toward nuclear specialist cultivation in Mongolia and request on our continuing future support.

(Front: L-R) Vice Rector Galtbayar, Rector Tumur-Ochi, Director Sekimoto, Prof. Minato, (Back: L-R) student, Dr. Baasandash (Assistant Professor, TokyoTech), visiting researcher, student, Prof. Batkhuu (NUM), Prof. Kikura (TokyoTech), Prof. Obara (TokyoTech), student

CRINES representatives, Dr. H. Kikura and Dr. A. Minato, have visited to National University of Mongolia (NUM) on 15-16, November, 2010. They interviewed some students, who were hoping to study in the field of nuclear at the graduate school in Tokyo Institute of Technology.  In addition, they visited to the research facility and lectured to the researchers and students of NUM in the field of (a) design concept of nuclear reactor and (b) measurement technology of thermal hydraulics.

They have met some members of Atomic Energy Agency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the future plan related to the utilization of nuclear energy in Mongolia and visited to the No.4 power plant in Ulaanbaatar, too.  It was confirmed that the load factor of power plant was increased by the support of Japan, nuclear energy is needed to reduce the air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, the implement of nuclear reactor is discussing as one of the future power generation plan and so on.  It was proposed that the human training plan to conduct the present project related to the utilization of nuclear energy should be proposed to Japan immediately.

In the cyclotron accelerator of NRC (Nuclear Research Center)

In the central control room of No. 4 power plant

CRINES representatives, Dr. A. Minato, has visited to National University of Mongolia (NUM) on 17-21, October, 2011. He has met some members of NUM to discuss the future plans related to design and construction of research reactors, and the human resource development program to conduct projects related to the utilization of nuclear energy in Mogolia

CRINES Director Prof. H. Sekimoto was invited to the International Conference on Quantum Electrodynamics and Statistical Physics (QEDSP2006), held on September 19-23, 2006, at the National Science Center, Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology (NSC KIPT) in Kharkov, Ukraine. Prof. Sekimoto’s topic was “CANDLE Burn-up in a Fast Reactor Core and Relating Nolinear Prblems”. Dr. Lev D. Landau was the director of the NSC KIPT, which was one of the most important physics laboratories in the former Soviet Union. Most of the presentations in the conference were on topics in advanced physics. While this type of conference may not appear to be an ideal venue to discuss CANDLE burn-up, the audience was convinced by the title of his lecture, which contained the words “burning wave”. Several research institutes around the world are studying CANDLE burn-up.

The conference included an excursion to Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, in response to Prof. Sekimoto’s urgent request. He joined the excursion and measured the still significant levels of remaining radioactivity at Chernobyl. He also observed the local flora.

Prof. Sekimoto taking dosimetry measurements near Chernobyl Reactor #4

The LFR Provisional System Steering Committee (LFR-PSSC), a body of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), met under the auspices of Prof. H. Sekimoto at the Tokyo Institute of Technology on December 13-15, 2006, to plan research activities for lead-cooled fast reactors (LFR). In attendance were Prof. Craig F. Smith (US), Mr. Luciano Cinotti (EU), Prof. Kune Y. Suh (Republic of Korea), Mr. Pal Kovacs (OECD), Prof. Sekimoto, Dr. Minato and Dr. Takahashi.

LFR-PSSC meeting

Schedule:              January 31, 2007; 13:30-15:00
Location:              Tokyo Tech Centennial Memorial Hall
Sponsor: COE-INES, CRINES

The title of this symposium was “Development of Nuclear Power in India and the Potential for Japan-India Cooperation”. This symposium focused on India, whose leaders have been seeking to strengthen ties with other nations to cooperate in the field of nuclear power. The speakers were experts on the Indian nuclear program and international issues; they presented lectures and a lively debate on these issues. About 60 guests attended the presentations.

Part I was titled “Reports of a Tour through Indian Nuclear Power Facilities”. This featured Prof. Kumao Kaneko (formerly of the Japanese diplomatic service; currently at Tokai University), who leads the Energy Strategies Committee. He observed several nuclear power companies and research institutes on a trip to India in November 2006. Dr. Naoyuki Takagi, an employee of TEPCO and COE-INES associate professor at Tokyo Tech, also presented a report.

Part II was titled “The Meaning of Cooperation with India in Nuclear Power” and consisted of a panel discussion moderated by Director Sekimoto. The five members of the panel were Mr. Nobumasa Akiyama (Japan Institute of International Affairs, Center for the Promotion of Disarmament and Non-proliferation), Mr. Ryo Ikegame (former vice-president of TEPCO, former head of WANO), Mr. Yukifumi Takeuchi (member of the Asahi Shinbun editorial board, former head of Asahi’s New Delhi office), Mr. Yoshitomo Tanaka (former ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, former ambassador to Hungary) and Mr. Kumao Kaneko.

The main topics of the debate were the significance of Japan-India cooperation in nuclear energy, the current issues that need to be resolved, and the most effective systems for preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology. The enthusiastic discussion ranged beyond technical topics to international politics and energy security. These remarks highlighted the importance of continuing the debate on ways of constructing a system that is secure against nuclear weapons proliferation and of deepening international cooperation in nuclear power.

Panel

On invitation by Taiwan’s Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER), CRINES Director Prof. H. Sekimoto gave two lectures at the institute on May 1, 2007. In the morning, Prof. Sekimoto spoke on the COE-INES project and small nuclear reactors; in the afternoon, he lectured on CANDLE burn-up.

　
Prof. Sekimoto at the entrance hall

Construction of nuclear reactors in Taiwan has been on hold for many years, but, in view of the direction of world events, authorities intend to resume the development of nuclear power. Prof. Sekimoto was asked about future collaborations.

The photographs are a snapshot at the entrance hall and a view of the lecture in progress. In the center of the lecture photograph is Director-General Dr. Ing. Li-Fu Lin. To the right is Deputy Director-General Dr. Tsing-Tyan Yang, and, to the left, Dr. John S. Cheng, Chairman of Axtronics Inc. Dr. Cheng was the main organizer of this event.

Lecture

The International Conference on Advanced Nuclear Science and Engineering (ICANSE-2007) was held on November 13-14, 2007, at the Grand Aquila Hotel in Bandung, Indonesia. It was sponsored by Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Badan Tenaga Nuklir (BATAN) and Indonesia’s nuclear power agency, and supported by COE-INES and CRINES. The coordinator for the event was Dr. Zaki Su’ud, an alumnus of Tokyo Tech. Ten representatives, including several students, attended from Tokyo Tech. Director Prof. H. Sekimoto presented the opening lecture of the conference, hosted a panel discussion, and also gave addresses at the opening and closing ceremonies. The Japanese and Indonesian participants enjoyed a warm exchange at this event.

Panel discussion at ICANSE-2007

Director Sekimoto and Prof. Minato attended the 7th International Conference on Nuclear Option in Countries with Small and Medium Electricity Grids, HND, held during 25-29 May 2008, in Dubrovnik, Croatia. They made presentations on CANDLE reactor and small reactor deployments, respectively.

Director Sekimoto attended ICAPP’08 which was held during 8-12 June 2008 in Anaheim, USA, and made a presentation on CANDLE reactors. He also attended several meetings embedded to this meeting, such as Informal Meeting of Heavy Liquid Metal Coolant Interest Group and 14^th Meeting General Atomics Combined Academic Advisory Group and Utility Advisory Board.

Director Sekimoto attended UCOP Asia-Pacific Forum on Integration of Sustainability, Safety and Security of Nuclear Technology, which was held on 12 and 13 June 2008 in University of California, Berkeley, and made a presentation "Gen IV in Japan" on the Panel of "Generation IV Nuclear Technology."

ASEAN countries and China, Korea, Japan (ASEAN+3) held “ASEAN COST+3: New Energy Forum for Sustainable Environment” at Kyoto Univ. in 25-27 May, 2008.  Assoc. Prof. Yukitaka Kato, Ex-COE-INES Sub-Leader attended the forum as a representative of CRINES and Tokyo Tech.  Over 100 participants discussed on new energy system for sustainable environment of ASIA. Prof. Kato presented research and education activities in COE-INES and CRINES related with innovative nuclear technologies.  The participants accepted well the need of nuclear energy in future energy system.  The forum was quite nice opportunity to show the presence of CRINES activity in new energy field.

Participants to the Forum in front of the venue of Clock Tower Hall, Kyoto Univ.

Recently India attracts world strong attention on its rapid economic growth and Indo US nuclear deal. Dr. Kumar, who is Senior Scientific Officer, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, India, and Visiting Professor of Tokyo Tech, made a presentation “Indian Nuclear Power Program: A Profile” for general audiences on August 8, 2008. Many participants from outside including Embassy of India attended and many fruitful discussions were raised.

Seminar

Slides　

CRINES Director Prof. H. Sekimoto was invited to the 4th Annual Workshop on Nuclear Energy Nonproliferation in East Asia（NEN）held in Pusan, Korea, on August 18-20, 2008, and presented the lecture on “Regional Nuclear Energy Program Status with a Focus on Spent Fuel Arising Expectations, Regional Overview”. He exchanged information and made discussions with participants from East Asia.

Director Sekimoto attended the Final (3rd) Research Coordination Meeting of an IAEA CRP “Small Reactors without On-site Refueling” held during 3-6 November 2008 in Vienna International Centre. He participated in this meeting as the Chairman and also made his presentation on “Recent progress in physics design of LBE cooled CANDLE fast reactor”. A report of this CRP will be published as an IAEA report.

On the day he arrived at Vienna airport, two Tokyo Tech students also arrived at the same airport as IAEA interns. The photo was taken at the entrance of Heurigen restaurant, where Director and intern students had enjoyed dinner of the last day of the Meeting.

At heurigen, (L-R) Mr. Shiba, Director Sekimoto, Mr. Taguchi

Director Sekimoto attended the 19th Annual Conference of the Indian Nuclear Society (INSAC-2008) held in Mumbai during 24-26 November, 2008, as a member of Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) delegation (Leader: Mr. T. Hattori, President, JAIF). He presented a lecture on “Practical Design of CANDLE Fast Reactor”.

Lecture at INSAC-2008

During the Conference, Director visited Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) as a member of JAIF delegation, and met Dr. A. Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission again after nearly 20 yeas’ separation, who attended SR/TIT held at Tokyo Tech in 1991. Director met also Dr. S. K. Jain, Chairman, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and performed fruitful information exchange.

The members moved to Chennai on 27 November, and visited Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS, heavy water power reactor), Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR, under construction), and other facilities. Chennai area was flooded by cyclone, but the tour was successfully done by well organized preparation of the hosts.

At IGCAR (left: Leader Mr. Hattori)

Three Ph. D. students from Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) came to study on several topics on innovative nuclear reactors in Sekimoto and Obara Laboratories. They had finished their studies and came back to Indonesia on January 20, 2009. The picture was taken at Farewell Tee Party before their trip to Indonesia.


At Farewell Tee Party: (R-L) Mr. Mohamad Ali Shafii, Mr. Ade Gafar Abdullah, Prof. Obara, Prof. Sekimoto, Mr. Imam Taufiq, and Prof. Kumar.

Director Sekimoto was invited and attended to GIF LFR-SC Meeting (Generation IV International Forum Lead-cooled Fast Reactor Steering Committee Meeting). The meeting was held during 21-23 January 2009 at Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy. The Laboratory is the largest underground laboratory in the world for experiments in particle physics, etc. and used as a world wide facility by many scientists. Novel Laureate Dr. Carlo Rubbia happened to visit the Laboratory and was attending another meeting. We discussed with him on lead and lead-bismuth coolant for a while in the corridor in front of his meeting room.

In the corridor of Gran Sasso National Laboratory：(Front, L-R) P. Kovacs, D. Haas, (Back, L-R) C. Smith, C. Rubbia, L. Cinotti, H. Sekimoto and Mrs. Smith.

CRINES Professor Minato participated in “Technical meeting on Non-electric application of nuclear energy”, which was held during March, 3-6, 2009 at Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute in Daejeon, South Korea.  Regarding the district heating, utilization of nuclear energy in Mongolia was discussed from the view point of economy based on the current operating system by the fossil energy.  Furthermore, regarding the hydrogen production by nuclear energy, it is required to find the solution for the more economical hydrogen production system

Participants to the meeting

Situation of meeting

Director Sekimoto was invited and attended to Fifth edition of the International Workshop on Materials for Heavy Liquid Metal cooled Reactors and Related Technologies (HeLiMeRT). The meeting was held during 18-19 May 2009 on Jeju Island in Korea. He made a presentation on CANDLE reactor at the Opening Plenary Session.

Director Sekimoto was invited and attended to the NATO advanced research workshop “Nuclear Power and Energy Security” held in Yerevan, Armenia, during 26-29 May 2009. He made a presentation on CANDLE reactor, and distributed copies of the COE-INES booklet “CANDLE”. This workshop brought together regional and international experts familiar with relevant technologies and policies, and related research. They examined the status and future of nuclear energy - especially in countries with little or no nuclear infrastructure currently.
                                                

At Armenian NPP with Director Omoto (left: Division of Nuclear Power, IAEA)

Director Sekimoto was invited to Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC) in Chengdu, which is the largest Nuclear Reactor Design Institute in China. He visited Institute from 26 to 28 August 2009 and made presentations on CANDLE reactor and some other topics he is promoting recently. Dr. Yan Mingyu, his former student, took care of him during whole days.

Director Sekimoto was invited by Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, and presented a lecture “Requirements for future nuclear reactors and CANDLE reactor”. Many fruitful discussions were done including re-cladding of fuel elements with Professor Olander.

Director Sekimoto visited TerraPower as a consultant at Bellevue on 30 September and 1 October, 2009, where strong design works on Travelling Wave Reactor, which uses the same burn-up principle of CANDLE, are under promotion. He presented his lecture on CANDLE reactor and exchanged information with many scientists and engineers in this company. He enjoyed fruitful discussions with them.

In a meeting for "Possibility of Low-Carbon Industiral Process by Using Nuclear Power" organized by the Japan Iron and Steel Institute of Japan at Tokyo Tech on 12th November, 2009, Prof. Sekimoto, Director of CRINES, made a lecture on "Possibility of High-Temperature Gas Reactor for Industrial Field Use"and Dr. Masaaki Naito, NSC done on "Nuclear Power Utilization into Steel making field". The meeting which organized by Prof. Kato, CRINES was designed for communication between steel making filed and nuclear field. Fruitful discussion between both peoples was held.

The International Conference on Advanced Nuclear Science and Engineering (ICANSE-2009) was held on November 3-4, 2009, at the Grand Aquila Hotel in Bandung, Indonesia. It was organized by Department of Physics, Bandung Institute of Technology and National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia and supported by CRINES. The chairperson of this conference is Dr. Zaki Su’ud, an alumnus of Tokyo Tech. Director Prof. H. Sekimoto, Prof. T. Obara and Mr. Irwant from Tokyo Tech, and Prof. Takaki from Tokai University (former COE-INES associate professor) and Dr. Sidik from JAEA (former RA of COE-INES) attend it. Prof. Sekimoto presented the opening special lecture of the conference on CANDLE reactors, hosted panel discussions, and also gave addresses at the opening ceremony. The Japanese and Indonesian participants enjoyed a warm exchange at this event.

Prof. Sekimoto at special lecture

Entertainment

Mr. Bill Gates (Founder of Microsoft) and members of TerraPower (See 3.22) had visited several Chinese nuclear institutes in the early November 2009 and established their collaboration on Travelling Wave Reactor (TWR). Soon after that Director Sekimoto was invited to these institutes (China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation LTD (SNPTC), Tsinghua University and Shanghai Nuclear Engineerng Research & Design Institute (SNERDI)), and visited these institutes with Prof. Ning Li (Dean, School of Nuclear Research, Xiamen University) from 30 November to 4 December 2009. Prof. Li explained about TWR, and Prof. Sekimoto about CANDLE reactor. They saw China Experimental Fast Reactor, which is almost ready for operation, during their visit to CIAE(See Photo). On the meeting at CNNC many specialists from several institutes under CNNC including NPIC (See 3.20) attended.

At China Experimental Fast Reactor, (L-R) Prof. Xu (Chief Engineer), Prof. Sekimoto and Prof. Li.

Proceedings of ICANSE2009 were published by American Institute of Physics.

Proceedings of ICANSE