Report of
FNCA 2012 Workshop on Research Reactor Network Project

FNCA 2012 Workshop on Research Reactor Network (RRN) was held from November 19 to 22, 2012, in Serpong, Indonesia. This Workshop was hosted by the Ministry of Research and Technology of Indonesia, National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia (BATAN) and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan.

RRN Workshop was attended by 22 participants from 12 FNCA member countries, namely Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam including workshop staffs.

This project started from 2011, mainly status of the research/test reactors and isotope production in their countries were reported and their possible regional network in Asia was discussed.

[ Open Seminar - Importance of Research and Test Reactors for Development of Nuclear Energy in Asian Countries - ]

Opening addresses by Prof. Dr. Djarot, Presidnet of National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia (BATAN) and Dr. Machi, FNCA Coordinator of Japan were delivered. The reports on the research and test reactors were delivered from Japan, Indonesia, China and Korea.

President of BATAN

Open Seminar

[ Workshop ]

· Day 1 (November 19)

In Session 1, Dr. Machi gave a presentation on the achievement of 10 FNCA projects and specified the scope and objectives of the Research Reactor Network project, mentioning to the summary of 1st workshop, and so on. In Session 2, all member countries presented the country reports on research/test reactor and their applications, then they discussed.

· Day 2 (November 20)

In Session 3, Dr. Kaminaga gave a lead speech followed by speeches from Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. All member countries presented the country reports on isotope demand and its production in Session 4, then they discussed.

· Day 3 (November 21)

In Session 5, Dr. Kaminaga gave a lead speech on challenges and possible plan of technology development of n-gamma Mo-99 production followed by the discussion. In Session 6, Dr. Druce gave a lead speech on current status of NTD silicone production, market and technology challenges, and followed by the discussion. All member countries presented the country reports on status of the national network for isotope production and stable supply of isotopes for setting up FNCA regional network in Session 7, Dr. Ido gave a lead speech followed by the round table discussion. Then the round table discussion on "how to manage FNCA regional network for isotope production and stable supply of isotopes" was given in Session 8.

· Day 4 (November 22)

The participants visited main facilities in National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia (BATAN), namely the RSG-GAS reactor, radioisotope center, and so on.

In Session 9, wrap-up of the WS including presentation of short summary report for FNCA 13th Ministerial Level Meeting was summarized. The Workshop drew to a successful close with closing remarks by Dr. Machi.

Summary Report of
FNCA 2012 Workshop on Research Reactor Network Project

Conclusion and Recommendation

Major points which meeting noted are following:

1.	Construction of new research reactor of KAERI, of which capacity is 20 MW, will start in 2014, and production of RI will start in 2017.
2.	ANSTO plans to invest A$166.8 million to increase capacity of Mo-99 production to 3600 Ci(6d)/week and to install new facilities for treatment of medium level radioactive wastes using Synrock technology.
3.	PT Batan Teknologi will construct new reactor to produce Mo-99 by joint financing with US company. The reactor using liquid fuels has Mo-99 production capacity of 4400 Ci(6d)/week. Capital investment is US$165 million. The plant is scheduled to start operation in 2017 in the US.
4.	The proposal of Malaysia Nuclear Agency to construct new reactor of 10-15 MW was not approved for the government 5 year plan of 2010 and possibly proposed again in 2015.
5.	New research reactor of Vietnam is under design by Russia (ROSATOM). The reactor will be constructed in Vietnam with capacity of 10-20 MW and the construction will start in 2015 for operation in 2020.
6.	TINT has the plan to construct new research reactor. However the proposal of new research reactor has not been approved by the government yet. The proposal will be reviewed by the government in 2013 for approval.
7.	The need of the regional network for coordination among FNCA countries to secure stable supply of medical isotopes is reconfirmed.
8.	Most FNCA member countries have set up national committee/group for coordination of medical RI production and supply.

The meeting recommends following issues:

1.	The next workshop meeting should be participated by chairs (heads) or members) of national coordination committee on medical RI production and supply. Major agenda of the meeting should be: (1) Strategy of supply and demand based on reliable survey of market demand and production capacity as well as import/export plan before and after 2016 when Nordion Co. will stop production of Mo-99, in each country, (2) Challenges including commercial considerations to secure the supply of Mo-99 to meet demand. (3) Define the major roles and management of the Regional Coordination Meeting for Medical Isotopes, and to prepare future plan of the meeting. (4) Global status of Mo-99 production and demand and plan of new research reactor producing Mo-99
2.	More reliable projection of demand of medical isotopes in FNCA countries in closer cooperation with end-users, such as ministry of health and nuclear medicine association should be prepared.
3.	Cooperation for technology of research/test reactor should be implemented through the study of designing next generation research/test reactor focusing on improvement of safety and devices for specific applications, such as production of isotopes. For implementation of this cooperation, JAEA should consider to invite nuclear reactor engineers for 3 weeks from FNCA countries under the current JAEA program. For longer period of collaboration, the nuclear researchers exchange program of MEXT can be used for a few experts by the request of FNCA member countries.
4.	Collaboration for the development of n-gamma Mo-99 technology for commercial production. Special meeting should be organized in FY2013 to formulate implementation plan and possible collaboration (Japan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Korea). IAEA meeting on small scale Mo-99 in Feb. 5-8, 2013 (Peaceful Use Initiative) should be taken into account for planning of the meeting.
5.	Some countries, such as Kazakhstan and Mongolia should be encouraged to set up the national committee/group for coordination of medical RI production and supply as agreed by the previous workshop. The national committee/group should be also useful for formulation of national strategy of nuclear medicine.
6.	The next workshop should be held in June or July 2013.

Program of
FNCA 2012 Workshop on Research Reactor Network Project

List of Participants
FNCA 2012 Workshop on Research Reactor Network Project

Australia

Bangladesh

China

Indonesia

Japan

Kazakhstan

Korea

Malaysia

Mongolia

The Philippines

Thailand

Vietnam