The THTR Circulars from 2010

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THTR Circular No. 133, Oct. 2010

Content:

Expensive dismantling of 12 research reactors!

The large power plant operators (VGB) also want further, high HTR subsidies!

CDU trade association wants millions in subsidies for bankruptcy technology!

PBMR bankruptcy continues: corporations cash in, South Africa's poor pay!

HTR research in Germany from 2008 to today:

35 years of BI environmental protection

Expensive dismantling of 12 research reactors!

For the hundredth time we had to read it in the media in August 2010: "Costs for dismantling the ex-research reactor increased".

What was meant was the very small thorium high-temperature reactor (THTR) at Forschungszentrum Jülich with an electrical output of 13 MW, which was operated by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Versuchsreaktor (AVR) from 1967 to 1988. But also 11 other nuclear research facilities in the FRG will have to be dismantled in the future.

AVR Jülich, 13 MW electrical output:

Are 612 million euros in dismantling costs enough?

As early as January 14, 1, the Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote: "Last summer the Federal Audit Office reprimanded the 'disastrous course of the project' and warned that the burdens should be redistributed. Operations have been inactive for 2003 years. Guarding and decommissioning measures have consumed more than 15 million euros to date. "

The 15 energy supply companies (EVUs), as shareholders of AVR, were overwhelmed by the time-consuming and complicated dismantling and transferred the further responsibility to Energiewerken Nord (EWN) GmbH. Even though the costs got completely out of hand, those in charge gossiped in their press release of September 15, 9 the date for the "topping-out ceremony for the huge material lock".

Today they have become quieter and no longer like to talk about costs and complications, because when it is being dismantled, the smallest THTR dwarfs everything that has gone before: "For this purpose, the 2100-ton container has to be moved with seven cranes and an air-cushion transport slide At the new location it is expected to remain in place for 60 years, after which it will be dismantled by robots and transferred to a repository. The complex procedure is necessary because the soil under the reactor is radioactively contaminated The contamination goes back to an accident in 1978 when a problem with the Strontium-90 steam generator contaminated the soil.

Around 300.000 spent fuel element balls, which are stored in 152 castor containers in an interim storage facility on the Jülich site, are also expensive for taxpayers. These Castor containers will soon have to be relocated to the nuclear interim storage facility in Ahaus, as there is only a permit for their disposal in Jülich until 2013 "(1).

In the meantime, the financial burdens have reached dizzying heights: "The German government now puts the costs incurred for decommissioning and dismantling at 612 million euros. Originally, 399 million euros were budgeted for" (2). But this is far from the end of the story. In the reactor pressure vessel itself, the radioactivity has to decay for several decades before work can continue at this point. These costs cannot be included in the previous calculation and still offer a lot of room for previously unimagined rates of increase. The costs must be shared by the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in a ratio of 70 to 30 (3).

These financial, political and technical squabbles are just a small foretaste of what is to come. In the next 10 years, 11 further nuclear research facilities will be dismantled in the FRG. The following information has been taken from information provided by the Federal Government in response to a request from the Bundestag (printed matter 17/2646):

1. WAK (Karlsruhe reprocessing plant)

Closure in 1990 after 19 years of operation. Dismantling 2010 to 2035. Expenditure by the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) until 2009: 638 million euros. Total future expenditure: 675 million euros. "The total costs of decommissioning and dismantling are estimated by the operator at € 2,6 billion (as of 2007)" (4).

2. KNR II (compact sodium-cooled nuclear power plant) Karlsruhe

Part of the fast breeder program (20 KW system). Shutdown in 1991. BMBF expenditure until 2009: 189 million euros. Total future expenditure: 26 million euros.

3. MZFR (multi-purpose research reactor) Karlsruhe

Heavy water cooled and moderated pressurized water reactor (58 MW). Closure in 1984. BMBF expenditure until 2009: 164 million euros. Total upcoming expenses: 27 million euros.

4. HDB (Main Department of Decontamination Companies) Karlsruhe

Central facility for the treatment and conditioning of radioactive substances. BMBF expenditure up to 2009: 102 million euros. Total upcoming expenses: 452 million euros

5. MAREN / FRG 1 + 2, Geesthacht

Neutron source for materials research. FRG 1 will be switched off from June 2010. Dismantling planning is ongoing. Total expenditure by the BMBF until 2009: 24 million euros. Total upcoming expenses: 83 million euros

6. FZJ projects (including Merlin), Jülich

In 2006 the research reactor was shut down. Otherwise remaining terms from 2010 to 2014. Total BMBF expenditure up to 2009: 106 million euros. Total future expenditure: 70 million euros.

7. FRJ-2 (DIDO), Julich

This reactor was in operation from 1962 to 2006. The decommissioning license has not yet been granted. Planned start of dismantling in 2012. "Remaining term": 2010 to 2017

8. Chemical cells (CZ), Jülich

Discontinuation of scientific use at the end of 2009. Planned start of dismantling in 2012. "Remaining term": 2011 to 2015.

9. Large hot cells (GHZ), Jülich

Dismantling of infrastructure that is no longer required. Planned start of dismantling in 2012. "Remaining term": 2011 to 2018.

10. WAK / EWN (research reactor FR-2), Karlsruhe

This 44 MW reactor was in operation from 1961 to 1981. "Dismantling of the research reactor that is currently in safe enclosure. Postponed due to limited budget"!

11. WAK / EWN (hot cells), Karlsruhe

"Dismantling of infrastructure that is no longer required. Postponed due to limited budget so far"!

In printed matter 17/2646 of July 26, 7, the federal government puts the total expenditure required for "decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear facilities" at around 2010 billion euros for the federal government. Based on previous experience with such official information, there will be considerably more. Based on experience with the THTR Hamm, the costs will increase by a multiple of the stated value.

As a reminder, here are the previous costs for the THTR Hamm:

   2,045 billion euros in construction costs
+ 2,390 billion euros in research
+ 0,425 billion euros decommissioning and confinement by 2009 (5)

Atomic energy is not only the most unsafe form of energy, but also the most expensive. The bill for the irresponsible experiments with the nuclear research reactors will be paid by ordinary people for the next few decades. The nuclear companies, on the other hand, are cashing in. This is what this federal government wants. Let's prepare her a hot autumn!

Notes:

1. From: Aachener Zeitung of August 27, 8
2. WDR from August 25, 8
3. See "Reactor on the hook" in THTR Circular No. 104
4. See Wikipedia: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiederaufarbeitungsanlage_Karlsruhe
5. See THTR Circular No. 124

The CDU Mittelstand (MIT) and the large power plant operators (VGB) showed great similarities before the federal government's decisions on energy policy.

If we take a closer look at the lowest level of the CDU-Wirtschaftsvereinigung (MIT) in Hamm, we are astonished to find that there recently the final point for a brilliant downgrading of an active THTR propagandist has found its organizational expression. Here the former "General" of the Federal CDU and VEW main department head Laurenz Meyer in the form of the deputy chairman of the MIT local group Hamm (1) to be awarded his bread of grace. In the shadow of the shining reactor ruins, he can do real persuasion again at the bottom.

However, an association based in Essen (VGB) has completely different possibilities of influence. If you read the headline of their latest press release from July 6th, 2010, one thinks first of a call from concerned environmentally-minded professors: "European scientists recommend urgent efforts for resource- and environmentally-friendly power generation" (2).

Who and what is the VGB?

However, this is the scientific advisory board that the Association of Large Power Plant Operators (VGB Power Tech e. Some develop and construct power plants and earn well in the process; the others build and operate these power plants and earn even more money. The phrase "European scientists recommend ..." is deliberately misleading the reader. It is not all or very many European scientists who recommend something, but only "30 experts" who are at the service of the VGB. One of them is Professor Antonio Hurtado (3), who studied in Jülich under the THTR enthusiastic Professor Kugeler and of course does not want to become unemployed in his field of "Hydrogen in high-temperature processes".

In their current statement "Kraftwerke (KW) 2020+" on July 6, 7, this selected group is in favor of nuclear power. Specifically: "The high-temperature reactor (Generation IV) is the only CO2010-free high-temperature source which, in addition to generating electricity, is used for technical material conversion processes, e.g. for generating hydrogen through hot steam electrolysis or for synthesis and fuel gas as well as fuel production (methanol) Coal is suitable and should be used. " - The scientists who are dependent on large-scale industry have not, however, said whether the whole thing will work at all and whether it is a realistic option. But they want to reap a few billions of research and development funds for this, the gentlemen are not at all averse ...

Nuclear realpolitik is carried out with esoteric empty phrases

In order to make the dangerous bankruptcy technology palatable to the angry public, the VGB scientists even use a vocabulary that they have copied from the esoteric wing of the alternative movement: "A holistic assessment of the environmental compatibility of nuclear energy ...." Or: "The innovative nuclear energy technology (...) can increasingly be based on natural law principles "(page 21). They adapt their rhetoric to the zeitgeist. However, they try hard to enforce their interests. For many decades, the VGB has endeavored to export German THTR technology abroad. When choosing his cooperation partner, he was not squeamish. Internationally outlawed dictatorships and criminal regimes were among the preferred addressees, because the affected population could not even defend themselves against the dangerous technology by democratic means.

Example China:

"When, on January 19, 1978, the deputy Chinese energy minister, Chang Pin, visited the THTR, which was then under construction in Hamm-Uentrop, with a 17-person delegation, German-Chinese contacts had already been made two years earlier. Engineers from the Association of Large Power Plant Operators (VGB) also joined Headquartered in Essen traveled to China at that time, advertised there purposefully for the HTR and issued an invitation to Germany. The Chinese energy minister was received at the THTR by the VEW board chairman Klaus Knizia "(4). "Even after the massacre on" Tiananmen Square "in Beijing in 1989, German and Chinese scientists worked on three studies for an HTR to be built in China" (5).

Example South Africa:

"While in 1987 the citizens' initiatives in the area of ​​Hamm fought all sorts of actions for its final shutdown after the major incident in the THTR, at this point in time the VEW had already set the course for the construction of the now possible thanks to a travel diplomacy to South Africa that was neglected by us at the time THTR variant Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) posed - and worked carefree with the white racist regime! The first free elections took place in South Africa in 1994.

With the participation of leading engineers and scientists from Germany, the Association of Large Power Plant Operators (VGB) planned a specialist conference on electricity generation and power plants in South Africa. For the opening of the conference organized by the state-owned ESKOM in Johannisburg on November 9, 1987, a lecture by the chairman of the board of the VEW and the deputy chairman of the VGB, Klaus Knizia, was planned. (...)

The German anti-apartheid groups ran a storm against this obvious cooperation and even the SPD spokeswoman for the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, Barbara Simonis, declared on September 7, 9: "The desired 'technical and scientific exchange of experience' with South Africa's state energy company is involved a conspiratorial cooperation with the racist regime (6) ".

Incidentally, the above-mentioned ESKOM (from South Africa!) Is still today a "full member company" of the VGB, as is the Test Reactor Working Group (AVR Jülich), RWTH Aachen, Stadtwerke Münster or TÜV Rheinland Industrie Service GmbH (extraordinary member) and many, many other. The inglorious end of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) in South Africa is not mentioned in the 32-page study. Facts that do not fit into the concept are hushed up.

Now the VGB is trying harder again under a CDU / FDP government to promote and pay for the HTR line in the FRG. The VGB congress "KRAFTWERKE 22" with a specialist exhibition (24) took place in Essen from September 2010nd to 2010th, 7. At the same time the 90th anniversary of the VGB was celebrated. The motto was: "Renewable, nuclear, coal and gas - technologies for a low-carbon future".

Notes:

1. See WA dated 10/07/2010
2. See below http://www.vgb.org/vgbmultimedia/News/Kraftwerke2020plus_D.pdf
3. See under "More HTR funding, but Hurtado!" in THTR Circular No. 117 from 2007
4. From THTR Circular No. 88 from 2004
5. From THTR Circular No. 105 from 2006
6. From THTR Circular No. 84 from 2003
7. http://www.vgb.org/hv_2010.html

"WITH a few hundred generous euro-billions from the taxpayers for our companies, it can be a more feudal life"

obviously thought the members of the Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsvereinigung (MIT) of the CDU / CSU when they introduced their energy concept (1) for the FRG and not only favored nuclear energy in general, but also highlighted the high-temperature reactor as an important goal for the future on 1 1/2 pages.

Since the federal government wants to draw up an overall energy policy concept in autumn 2010, this interest group in the CDU is trying to implement its own goals as directly as possible in government policy. In keeping with the spirit of the times, the highly self-serving focus on an HTR line that has long since failed due to technical problems at home and abroad is touted with a wonderful jingling of words: "With this medium-sized energy concept, we are answering the ecological and economic future question of a safe, affordable and environmentally friendly one Power supply".

Worldwide new state money for castles in the air?

However, as soon as the question of the salvific reactor type THTR Hamm comes up, an aura of tragedy, dramatic loss and stab-in-the-back legend wafts through the review of past glorious times: "This commitment by MIT to nuclear energy also includes the demand that Germany take part in the development of future generations of reactors and regains the leading (!) role that Germany had in the past in nuclear technology. This also and especially applies to generation IV nuclear power plants, which will be developed between 2010 and around 2025. "

Oh really? The HTR's are of course just developed that way? From who?? Maybe from South Africa, which broke off this line and transferred the executing company to the status of an almost letterbox company?

Or from China, which only starts the mini-mini test reactor in Beijing, which is bobbing in front of it, when a swarm of incorrigible lobbyists reverently approaches?

The EU, which had difficulties getting a full HTR seminar off the ground in Prague after the last devastating setback in South Africa?

Or the USA, which has not even thoroughly dealt with the problems of its failed HTR precursor reactors from the 70s?

The CDU medium-sized troops are stubbornly asserting that the new reactors are being developed. Only one thing is certain, however: Somewhere in the world, a few medium-sized companies will receive several million euros in taxpayers' money for doing something that has to do with this reactor line. And the German entrepreneurs want to be one of them! The sheer self-interest grins cheekily at us.

Nuclear Germany ahead!

MIT does not hesitate to play the national card as well. The "Generation IV program GIF" (2) 11 countries participate, but Germany is only involved via indirect EU participation. Get rid of this unworthy game of hide-and-seek, Germany must become an "independent member" of this very special nuclear club, MIT demands!

In order for its members to be able to get support for the controversial HTR line, MIT promises the blue of the sky: "The fuel for nuclear energy will last for several hundred years. By participating in the Generation IV program, Germany is safeguarding the future and will later become dependent on Avoid importing electricity.

But all of this is not enough for MIT. Another, additional chapter on the high-temperature reactor is intended to remove the last doubt. There the reference to Jülich: "Furthermore, with the pebble bed reactor AVR, which was commissioned for the first time in Germany in 1967, it is possible to reload fuel assemblies and unload spent fuel elements while it is in operation". - And of course not a single word about incidents, uncontrolled radioactivity releases and technical problems. Inconvenient truths are completely hidden.

HTR: Very controversial among experts

Most recently, on July 5, 2010, the scientist Rainer Moormann from Forschungszentrum Jülich, who was involved in the dismantling of the Jülich THTR, put on record in a report by Aachener Nachrichten:

"What exactly happened in 1978? At that time, water - a total of 30 tons - dripped into the reactor for days from a hole a few millimeters in size in the steam generator. The extent of the accident was only discovered later, including the contamination of the soil. The dismantling always reveals new problems. The cost is now estimated at 450 million euros. Moorman believes: 'It doesn't stop there.' (...) For him, the pebble-bed reactor technology is not completely controllable, which is also shown by the failed attempt to implement the concept in South Africa. One of Rainer Moormann's main points of criticism: It was not possible to take any direct measurements in the Jülich reactor core, such as the one at high temperatures did not detect. 'An absurdity' according to the expert. "

Massive criticism of the reactor line

The extensive study published by Moormann in 2008 "A safety-related reassessment of the operation of the AVR pebble bed reactor and conclusions for future reactors" brought numerous new findings into the discussion, all of which are ignored by the CDU business association MIT because they do not fit into their concept . We named them in detail in the THTR newsletter (3).

Driving force for the Renaissance attempt: economic interests

Anyone who brushes all these arguments off the table and continues to propagate high-temperature reactors has solid economic interests in these project visions. He wants to benefit from the state subsidies, without which nothing works in the nuclear industry and, if necessary, accepts radiation deaths!

If we take a closer look at the CDU economic association, we discover that four years ago its former deputy chairman Hermann-Josef Werhahn (4) was called. Just that busy exponent of 'Rhenish capitalism' and Adenauer's son-in-law who, as a long-time friend of opinion of THTR creator Rudolf Schulten, left no stone unturned for decades to give "his" reactor project many millions of euros in subsidies. Sometimes reality is as profane as it is repulsive. In autumn 2010 we will see whether this very special form of "economic relations" in the case of the THTR will again become a concrete policy of the federal government.

Notes:

1. http://www.mit-virtuell.de/news/960/
2. See THTR Circular No. 122
3. More detailed the HTR study by Rainer Moormann
4. More about Werhahn: THTR Circular No. 127

The details of the failed attempt to build a thorium high-temperature reactor in South Africa that have become known in recent weeks are becoming increasingly bizarre.

They clearly show how irresponsible and unrealistic the now semi-state energy supply company ESKOM, the responsible South African ministries and the institutions involved in the FRG such as TÜV, the Institute for Energy Research at Forschungszentrum Jülich and various companies have behaved in the past with the construction of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR).

Of course, this was not without reason: These institutions and companies benefited from the planned project with hundreds of millions of euros. The poor majority of the South African population pays for the grandiose plans of the corporations and now has only a few useless industrial ruins standing around in return.

As we have already reported in detail, the PBMR company was reduced from 800 employees to 25 in order to maintain at least the highly dubious "know-how" acquired during the reactor development tests.

A reactor pressure vessel that nobody needs any more

But what about the approximately 2.000 t reactor pressure vessel that was ordered many years ago from the Spanish energy company Equipos Nucleares SA (ENSA) for 32,7 million euros for the PBMR (1)? It is now ready and was ready for transport in the Catabrian port city of Santander in Spain a few weeks ago! However, South Africa no longer has any use for this reactor pressure vessel. If it were to be left in Spain, in addition to the construction costs, there would be 3,5 million euros in VAT that South Africa would have to pay!

That is why the huge steel container was brought to South Africa by ship to arrive in the port of Saldanha Bay north of Cape Town these days. But oh dear! The originally planned subsequent overland transport to the intended storage location Pretoria would cost 145.000 euros (2) costs. Unfortunately, all the money for the PBMR has been completely used up and the South African public is increasingly sensitive to new subsidy requests for a reactor that cannot be built anyway. So the reactor pressure vessel is first stored in the port of Saldanha for 1.000 euros a month. The navy and military academy are stationed right next door and can take care of the important building block of a failed energy policy.

Since the order for the reactor pressure vessel was canceled last year, the price for the part that was not completely finished fell from 32,7 million euros to 27,7 million euros. ENSA, 45 percent owned by the global nuclear company Westinghouse, holds out its hand with satisfaction ...

Despite failed plans - a million dollar deal for corporations "Times live" lists in its report of July 18, 7 a whole series of known and so far little known costs for the planned PBMR. The profiteers clearly appear:

51 million euros for the helium turbine went to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 26 million euros for reflector graphite went to SGL Carbon Group AG (Wiesbaden). Another 26 million euros for graphite for the reactor also went to SGL Carbon Group. By sponsoring the website of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA, this group created a favorable business climate for it in matters of PBMR decisions (3). As an event partner, SGL Carbon hosted a PBMR conference with 2005 participants in 340. The South African Vice President and three ministers were also present. An investment that has paid off: a total of 52 million euros in sales.

72 million euros for the (ball) fuel element factory went to Uhde (Dortmund) and RWE Nukem (4). Decades of continuity are visible here: years ago, RWE incorporated VEW (operator of THTR Hamm). The old scandal company NUKEM now operates under the umbrella of RWE. Uhde, a subsidiary of the ThyssenKrupp Group, has been profiting from the South African market since 1962 during the apartheid period.

202 million euros for overseas consultants. A proud penny! And who is behind these advisors? There are several TÜV's (!) From the FRG, the Institute for Energy Research (FZJ-IEF-6) in Jülich, the Jülich Experimental Reactor Working Group (AVR), the Nuclear Technology Working Group (Arge KT) and HTR GmbH Gesellschaft für high-temperature reactors (50% belongs to Siemens AG). You all share responsibility for the disaster of the PBMR.

In particular, the TÜV's and the Institute for Energy Research (FZJ-IEF-6) in Jülich, as state bodies bound by instructions, were so bold as to defy the decided nuclear phase-out and boasted of making foreign nuclear power plants safer through their participation. Today we know: The South African PBMR has not become safer, but also failed due to the pronounced incompetence and ignorance of the "advisors". Her wallet, however, was full and this was the actual driving force behind her actions. Critical voices were fought and doubts about the technical and safety-related feasibility were not taken seriously out of self-interest.

Even when the end of the PBMR was already certain in 2009, 11 executives of the PBMR company in South Africa received salaries and benefits over 1,8 million euros, according to "Times Live".

There is no doubt: If the demands of the CDU Wirtschafts- und Mittelstandsvereinigung (MIT) and the Association of Large Power Plant Operators (VGB) for the promotion of high-temperature reactors find their way into the federal government's energy concept in autumn 2010, such hair-raising conditions as those in the German-South African nuclear relations were commonplace to find their continuation.

Notes:

1. See THTR Circular No. 110
2. Times Live July 18, 2010
3. See THTR Circular No. 102
4. See THTR Circular No. 100 u. No. 101

A lot of money for HTR research institutions in Dresden, Rossendorf, Zittau, Görlitz, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Garching, Karlsruhe, Bochum, Aachen, Jülich ...

"Psst, not a single word about the embarrassing end of the planned high-temperature reactor in South Africa. Not a word about the pointless squandered one billion euros in the poor country!" - This is obviously the motto of the mouthpiece of the nuclear industry, the magazine "atw", which is persistently silent about the latest bankruptcy of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR). - And on behalf of the entire industry, the future EU projects to be paid for to promote Generation IV reactors presented in their July 2010 edition on 8 pages. And part two will follow in the next issue ... Because the federal government's new energy concept will be adopted in autumn. And in addition to the mandatory term extensions, the nuclear industry has a few very special requests from its government for this. The previous research projects should continue and new things should be initiated.

The atomic leaf atw frankly presents the impressive research and development work for HTR technology over the past two years. Here is an overview of the details, categorized by city:

Dresden-Rossendorf

For the so-called "Competence Center East for Nuclear Technology", which also includes the Dresden-Rossendorf Research Center and the Zittau / Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, the atw describes the future focus in April 2010:

- "Based on simulation methods for the safety analysis of today's light water reactors, the focus is increasingly shifting to the development of methods for reactors of the 4th generation and accelerator-driven systems" (2010, p. 260).

- Here in Dresden-Rossendorf, the DYN3D reactor dynamics program is not only being further developed for light water reactors: "The area of ​​application is gradually being expanded to include Generation IV reactors" (2010, p. 260).

- Research for material and component safety of nuclear reactors: "Chromium steels are considered to be potential construction materials for nuclear reactors of the fourth generation because of their advantageous combinations of properties" (2010, p. 261).

- "In the context of Gen IV there is currently a strong renaissance of investigations into sodium-cooled fast reactors in which the FZD is participating in the European projects ADRIANA and CP-ESFR" (2010, p. 261). A new experimental platform for liquid metal flows (DRESDYN) was created.

- Since the final disposal of the radioactive spherical fuel elements of HTRs still has to be regulated somehow for the next centuries, research is being carried out into reducing the volume of waste and radioactive radiation. "Transmutation" thus includes the conversion of long-lived radionuclides into short-lived or stable nuclides: "For the development of GenIV systems and dedicated accelerator-supported transmutation systems (ADS) precise cross-sections of reactions with fast neutrons are required" (2010, p. 261).

"With regard to the improvement of the safety properties of gas-cooled nuclear reactors, here especially high-temperature reactors, the development of innovative materials for high-temperature energy technology", the following research work is carried out by the Technical University of Dresden:

- Dust release from the HTR.

- "As part of the international F-Bridge project, the TU Dresden is pursuing the goal of developing a laser-based process for the high-temperature-resistant sealing of all-ceramic fuel element casings for advanced high-temperature reactors (VHTR) further developed by laser-induced soldering ... "(2009, p. 2010).

- Manufacture of ultra-dense diffusion barriers using innovative laser technology: "An essential component of the safety concept of high-temperature nuclear reactors is the gas-tight enclosure of the nuclear fuel particles in a multilayer ceramic coating ..." (2010, p. 264).

- Development of a high temperature heat exchanger.

"The training nuclear reactor is an integral part of the professorship for hydrogen and nuclear energy technology at the TU Dresden and contributes significantly to maintaining competence - both in cooperation with other colleges and universities as well as with industry. (...) The AKR -2 is not only a real student attraction at the TU Dresden, but not least "(2010, p. 264) a contradiction to the exit decisions, but who cares?

Antonio Hurtado has been Head of the Professorship for Hydrogen and Nuclear Energy at the TU Dresden since 2007. He did his doctorate in HTR at RWTH Aachen University (2009, p. 204). Detailed information on this can be found in THTR circular no.117.

Zittau-Goerlitz

As part of the RAPHAEL project, experimental investigations are carried out here on the FLP 500 magnetic bearing test stand. They serve to support rotating HTR components. "Numerous research and development work was carried out under the project title RAPHAEL within the 6th EURATOM framework program of the European Commission" (2010, p. 265).

The "Very High Temperature Reactor Project" (VHTR) is being worked on with the aim of using nuclear-generated energy to generate electricity, hydrogen and usable heat. In addition to AREVA (Erlangen), representatives of the Institute for Nuclear Energy Technology at the University of Stuttgart (W. Scheuermann) and the Jülich Research Center (W. von Lensa) also work on the RAPHAEL project. For more information, see THTR circulars 107 and 117. Hamburg

"In recent years, TÜV Nord has specifically increased the number of employees in the field of nuclear technology. (...) TÜV Nord is also involved in projects in Finland, Sweden, Argentina or South Africa, for example. Foreign contracts increase the independence of the Experts, promote professional development and offer long-term prospects. TÜV Nord employees are increasingly taking part in international conferences and are actively involved in the further international development of the set of rules "(2010, p. 485). - As far as the PBMR in South Africa is concerned, one can hardly speak of "long-term prospects" (original sound atw in July 2010!).

The currently last "Framework Agreement ED 120" between ESKOM and TÜV Nord to work for the PBMR was concluded in December 2008. Already 3 weeks later the end came and the spherical fuel elements produced in South Africa were brought to the USA by ship to experiment with them there.

Stuttgart

"Research areas of the Institute for Nuclear Energy Technology and Energy Systems (IKE) are in the field of accident simulation and model validation within the framework of national reactor safety research of existing reactors as well as in the analysis of design concepts for future nuclear power plants, especially the high-temperature reactor (HTR). (...) The work for the development and validation of coupled methods between neutronic and thermohydraulics of gas-cooled high-temperature reactors (HTR) will be continued. (...)

The IKE is involved in the development of the Chinese HTR-PM "(2010, p. 266). HTR-PM is a" High-temperature Gas-cooled Reactor - Pebble-bed Module ". According to the RWTH Aachen homepage" is a modular high-temperature reactor, the HTR-PM, is currently being planned in China.

The State Materials Testing Institute (MPA) is also involved in the "newly started theoretical and experimental work on thermal mixing" in Stuttgart (2010, p. 266).

Scientists are still tinkering with the screwed-up pebble bed (and the damage that goes with it) of the fuel elements, which is so typical of HTRs. A problem that no one has really gotten to grips with since the 50s. The balls just don't arrange themselves in the heap the way the engineer wants them to! "Both basic and application-oriented work is carried out. This is done in close connection with the development of advanced simulation models and measurement techniques "(2009, p. 328). - Have fun calculating!

"The work on the development and validation of coupled methods between neutrons and thermohydraulics of high-temperature reactors (HTR) will be continued. A 3-dimensional coupled computer program for the core container is under development Inclusion of HTR are the subject of several doctorates at the IKE "(2009, p. 329):

- "Extension of a thermohydraulic code for HTRs" by Kamal Hossain.

- "Plutonium and minor actinides as fuel in high-temperature pebble-bed reactors" by Astrid Meier (2009, p. 195).

Garching

HTR development: "In cooperation with the Society for Plant and Reactor Safety (GRS) Garching, a 3-dimensional computer program is being developed for core design and safety analysis" (2010, p. 266).

Karlsruhe

"Experiments have also started for reactors of the fourth generation and others are in preparation The HELOKA-VHTR plant will be expanded. The plant will then receive a high-temperature test track (...). The test stand is not only of interest for future gas-cooled reactors with fast neutrons, but can also be used for the high-temperature reactors that have already been largely developed. (...) )

The working group "Task on Advanced Reactor Experimental Facilities (TAREF) has the task of determining the needs (!!) and priorities for research for advanced gas-cooled and sodium-cooled fast reactors" (2010, p. 172)!

"Within the framework of the QUENCH project, the hydrogen source term and high-temperature material behavior of reactor components in the early phase of a serious accident, especially during re-flooding, were investigated" (2010, p. 254). The flooding of a partially destroyed core is analyzed.

"In 2009, various EU programs in the 6th framework program such as EISOFAR, ELSY, Eurotrans etc. to investigate the transmutation possibilities in innovative critical and sub-critical systems were successfully completed" (2010, p. 256). For transmutation (reduction of the radioactive waste volume) see also under Dresden-Rossendorf.

Bochum

"The focus of the working group on reactor simulation and safety at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum is on interdisciplinary research projects on the analysis of technology, simulation and safety of nuclear facilities. These are funded by the European Commission, the federal government, research centers and industry and are subject to international support Cooperations. (...)

Analyzes of accident control, the effects of internal emergency protection measures and the quantification of the radionuclide source term from the system into the environment are just as much a focus of interest as the evaluation of new system concepts (Gen III and Gen IV) "(2009, p . 329).

Jülich-Aachen

We have already reported a lot about the main actor in HTR development. Here are a few more important details:

"Safety investigations with regard to the containment integrity of today's reactors as well as reactor-theoretical work on the design and safety of gas-cooled reactors of the fourth generation are carried out at the Institute for Energy Research - Safety Research and Reactor Technology - IEF-6 at the Jülich Research Center. ...) For gas-cooled Gen IV reactors, the pressure relief accident with air ingress is considered "(4, p. 2010). The focus is on:

Transmutation and final storage of irradiated THTR and AVR fuel elements: One should not think that the nuclear power plant operators thought about what to do with the radioactive waste before the commissioning of nuclear power plants!

"In Germany around 1.000 Mg (that's 1 million kilograms or 1.000 tons!) Of irradiated graphite have to be disposed of as radioactive waste. This essentially comes from the 2 high temperatures AVR and THTR. Investigations of the C-14 inventory of the AVR have showed that the disposal of the ceramic AVR components alone would take up about 3/4 of the approved C-14 inventory of the Konrad repository "(2009, p. 324)!

"In view of the long periods of final disposal of nuclear waste in deep geological formations, contact between waste and corresponding formation waters cannot be ruled out." Only now has IEF-6 "investigated the behavior of irradiated research reactor fuel elements in this water in the presence of iron (material of the fuel element container in a hot cell system" (2010, p. 258)!

Puma project: "For an effective reduction of the plutonium produced during nuclear power generation beyond MOX fuel elements, combustion in high-temperature reactors (HTR) is also being discussed" (2010, p. 259).

Standardization of the nuclear database in the VSOP computer program for the core design.

The NACOK trainer is still in operation: "It is used to simulate the process and consequences of an ingress of air into the helium cooling circuit of a high-temperature reactor (HTR). In the most recent experiment, graphite blocks were oxidized using the chimney effect" (2010, p. 259).

"In cooperation with the Chair for Reactor Safety and Technology (LRST) at RWTH Aachen University, a new test container (REKO-4) was built in which the role of natural convection is to be examined in more detail in the future. This project is the first of currently 4 planned Activities that are to be carried out in close cooperation with the LRST in the future. Planning activities are currently ongoing for jointly used experiments on the subjects of wall condensation, aerosol behavior as well as thermal hydraulics and graphite oxidation in VHTR "(2009, p. 322).

Finally, a particularly piquant detail of the research activities should be mentioned: "The chemical and mechanical long-term stability of HTR-FA (fuel elements) in direct final storage is being investigated in the FZJ. The previous studies at our Dutch partner NRG (SiC and in the FZJ (PyC)) within the framework of the EU project RAPHAEL have shown that at least for the period of the first 1.000 years a reliable containment of the essential part of the nuclear fuel by the coating (= coating) can be expected "(2009, p. 323) !!!

The fuel element spheres contain highly radioactive substances and plutonium. And we hear from the scientific institution that is concerned with the long-term preservation of these highly dangerous time bombs, even in the smallest quantities, such vague and vague assumptions about the future as:

"the first 1.000 years (and after that?) ... substantial (incomplete !!) portion ... can be expected (!!) (!!) ..."

The only thing that is certain is that for at least the next 1.000 years, many people will have to pay for the irresponsible conduct of nuclear researchers and politicians in a double sense. With their health and a lot of money. Let's stop the greedy nuclear gang.

If today 35 years ago in Hamm members of the German Peace Society / United War Service Opponents (DFG / VK) one "Nuclear Power Plant Working Group" founded in order to deal not only with the dangers emanating from nuclear weapons, but also with the civil use of nuclear power plants, this affected an important core of the overall problem.

Newspaper clipping from: Westfälische Rundschau of September 9, 1975

In the weeks that followed, the working group gave rise to our citizens' initiative for environmental protection in Hamm, which is now 35 years old. We worked hard to ensure that the THTR became a piece of technical history - and through our information work we helped to ensure that the construction tests (by partly German companies) on the same reactor type (PBMR) in South Africa were critically monitored. Now the THTR is also a real bankruptcy reactor in South Africa. Who would like to be next? The EU's Generation IV project or maybe Obama's nuclear HTR ambitions? From Mahatma Gandhi we learned to have stamina and to think in terms of decades.

With our homepage and the translation program installed there, our information reaches many thousands of people every month all over the world. And on the venerable paper they will (hopefully) remain accessible in the form of the THTR circular for at least the next hundred years.

So that we can continue our work, we ask all subscribers who have not yet paid within the last 12 months for a donation.

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