Some Opening Remarks on IGORR 2014 conference & IAEA Technical meeting Dr Gilles Bignan IGORR Chairman IGORR16-IAEA-TM Bariloche (Argentina) 16th -21st November 2014 1 What is the International Group On Research Reactors ? • A mature organisation who started in 1990 • Motivations at that time (extract from the charter) • “many organizations, in several countries, are planning or implementing new or upgraded research reactor projects, but there has been no organized forum devoted entirely to discussion and exchange of information in this field“  • The International Group on Research Reactors (IGORR) was formed to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience among those institutions and individuals who are actively working to design, build and promote new research reactors or to make significant upgrades to existing facilities. (Proceedings of the first meeting, 03/1990-Oak-Ridge-Tenesse-USA). • And now in 2014, Objectives and motivations are the same…. Sharing experiences on operation, experimentation, refurbishment , new projects…on any type of RR IGORR16-IAEA-TM Bariloche (Argentina) 16th -21st November 2014 2 Last time IGORR forum came to Argentina was in…1999 here in Bariloche Time to come back ! See below still an active and dynamic community How does IGORR forum works ? • • • • – Organise conference every 18 months (in average) since 1990 Rotate location of the conference between Europe, Asia (oceania) and the Americas An International Steering Committee to establish the future conference and prepare the program (reviewing, organisation…) A strong wish from the SC to combine IGORR conference with other forums : – Combined IGORR/US-TRTR (Oak-Ridge September 2010) – Combined IGORR/RRFM (Prague March 2012) – Combined IGORR/IAEA TM on ageing management (Daejeon –Oct 2013) This IGORR conference combined with an IAEA TM on Low Power Research Reactor (Mixing of various communities) –thanks to the agency! IGORR has no particular structure ( strong involvement of the local organiser) Many thanks to CNEA/INVAP staff for huge amount of Works to organise this conference IGORR16-IAEA-TM Bariloche (Argentina) 16th -21st November 2014 4 The Research Reactor Community : various families ! • Neutron beam reactors with high neutron flux beams (CNS : Cold Neutron Source) – High neutron fluxes are probing matter and help establish fundamental laws – Basic science – Neutronography – Radioisotopes • Technological irradiations reactors (MTR : Material Testing Reactor) – R&D in nuclear engineeering (materials and fuel) – Production of radioisotopes (MOLI) • ZPR : Zero Power Reactor (or Critical assemblies) – Neutron physics – Criticality and safety issues • Reactors dedicated to safety research programs • Reactors for Eudcation&Training All this families are present at this conference ! IGORR16-IAEA-TM Bariloche (Argentina) 16th -21st November 2014 5 About this conference : a dense Program with a break on Wednesday… • The Program : about 100 Oral presentations and 50 Posters (thanks to the authors) • About 150 participants from 26 countries • Main topics : All the - Low Power Research Reactors (IAEA-TM) Participants are - Ageing Management strongly - new Research Reactors projects encouraged to follow the Posters - Operation & Maintenance session on - Safety Reassessment, Refurbishments… Tuesday - Utilisation of Research Reactors afternoon - Irradiation Technologies Conference - Innovative methods Dinner - NTD&RI And do not forget the questionnaire for preparing the round table on Friday IGORR16-IAEA-TM Bariloche (Argentina) 16th -21st November 2014 6 About this conference : Chairpersons Homework ! • 18 Sessions ! • Chairpersons are required to strictly respect time schedule (15+ 5 minutes) • Prepare a short summary of the session • Meeting of the Chairpersons Thursday 20th late afternoon for summaries analysis and preparation of the report for the closing session • Note: IGORR Steering Committee (restricted) meeting tonight 18:30-19:30 IGORR16-IAEA-TM Bariloche (Argentina) 16th -21st November 2014 7 So Thanks to all for participating and enjoy this fruitful conference… And Many Thanks to our Numerous Sponsors: AREVA,THERMOFISGHER,MIRION,KAERI, CNEA,INVAP,ROSATOM,RPT-KOREA, PONUTech, NA SA Argentina, CONUAR FAE Again Many Thanks to the CNEA/INVAP team in charge of the organisation !! IGORR16-IAEA-TM Bariloche (Argentina) 16th -21st November 2014 8