'Green Enertopia with Nuclear'

The 24th KAIF/KNS Annual Conference handles issues and latest technology on nuclear power

Scores of international and Korean authorities on nuclear power assembled in Seoul from April 8-10 to discuss issues and share information on advanced technology on nuclear power under the theme "Green Enertopia with Nuclear." The 24th Korea Atomic Industrial Forum/Korean Nuclear Society (KAIF/KNS) Annual Conference, held at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel, was organized by the Korea Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc. (KAIF) and the Korean Nuclear Society. In particular, the 2009 KAIF/KNS also coincided with an official ceremony to mark a half-century of nuclear power in Korea.
Kim Ssang-su, chairman and CEO of KEPCO and concurrently chairman of the organizing committee of the conference, gave an opening speech; Lee Jong-in, president of the Korean Nuclear Society and concurrent co-chairman of the organizing committee of the conference, delivered a welcoming speech; and Kim Jung-hyun, second vice minister of the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, gave a congratulatory address during the opening session. Kang Chang-sun, chairman of the conference's Technical Program Committee and a professor at Seoul National University, chaired the conference.
The KAIF/KNS Annual Conference was inaugurated in 1986 to celebrate the commercial operation of Korea's first nuclear power plant, Kori Unit 1. The 2009 KAIF/KNS, marking its 24th year, is an international forum serving as a window for international and Korean people in the nuclear power field to share information and engage in technology exchanges on the promotion and development of the Korean and global nuclear power industries.




















In the Honors & Awards Session, just before the Opening Session, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) Project Engineering Department won the Nuclear Technology Award Prime Minister's Grand Prize in recognition for enhancing the international competitiveness of the Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant (KSNP) and contributing to the development of the Korean nuclear power industry by developing steel plate concrete module engineering technology for nuclear power structures.
The Nuclear Technology Gold Prize, the Minister of Education, Science and Technology's Award, went to Lee Chang-gyu, senior researcher of Korea Nuclear Fuel, and Kwon Yong-hyon, general manager of Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Nuclear Power Systems Technology Team. Lee has been credited with successfully designing the reactor core of Yonggwang Nuclear Power Units 3 and 4, which are Korea's first OPR1000 reactors, while Kwon was recognized for the localization of the reactor coolant pump and the establishment of a nuclear installation technology management regime.
The keynote speakers of the opening session were Kim Jong-shin, president of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., on the topic "The Current Status and Prospects of the Nuclear Industry in Korea" Tomihiro Taniguchi, deputy director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency on "Role and Activities of the IAEA for the Development and Peaceful Use of Nuclear Power"; Philippe Thiebaud, the French ambassador in Seoul, on "The Current Status and Future Prospects of the Nuclear Industry in France" Tomihiro Taniguchi, deputy director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on the "Role and Activities of the IAEA for the Development and Peaceful Use of Nuclear Power" William B. Burchill, president of the American Nuclear Society, on "Nuclear Energy in the United States" Yoichi Fuji-ie, former chairman of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission and an academic consultant at Hiroshima University, on "Nuclear Energy System for the Sustainable Development of Mankind ¡ª Future Nuclear System in Japan" and Juan Luis Francois, professor of engineering at the National University of Mexico and vice chairman of the Pacific Nuclear Council (PNC), on an "Overview of the Nuclear Sector in Mexico." The speakers of the Panel Session: "Green Enertopia with Nuclear: Human Resources," chaired by Prof. Park Goon-cherl of Seoul National University, were Min Byung-joo, president of the Nuclear Training Center at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), who spoke on the topic "AERI's Nuclear Training Program" Marco Graziano, vice president of international marketing at AREVA, on "Human Resources and Training in the Perspective of the Nuclear Renaissance" and Timothy J. Collier, vice president of engineering services, components & plant engineering at Westinghouse Electric Company, on "Westinghouse Electric Company ¡ª An Evolutionary Journey." The speakers of Session 1: "Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants," included Lee Byung-sik of KHNP, who spoke about "Insights of Single Point Vulnerability Evaluation for Domestic NPPs" and Franz Ammann of AREVA NP, Gmbh, on "Chemical Cleaning ¡ª Essential for Optimal Steam Generator Asset Management" and Charles F. Ridolfo of Westinghouse Electric Company on the "Modernization of Digital Control Systems Reactor Protection System, Rod Control, Variable Speed Drives." The speakers of Session 2: "Betterment of Nuclear Power Utilization," included Lim Chae-young of KAERI on "Clean Development Mechanism: Plan for the Promotion of Investment in Nuclear Power Plants," and Kim Mu-hwan of POSTECH on the "Status of Rex 10 Nuclear Reactor Development." The speakers of Session 3: "Enhanced Future Application of Nuclear Science & Technology," included Takashi Nagata of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, who spoke about "Recent Trends in Genetic Improvement of Crops Using Mutation Techniques" Han Bum-soo, Kim Jin-kyu, Kim Yu-ri and Kim Sung-hyun, all from EB-TECH Co., Korea, and Andrzej G. Chmielewski of the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Poland, who spoke on the topic "A Prospect of Fast Reactor and Related Fuel Cycle in Japan" and Jang Chang-hee, of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology on "Hydrogen Production Using High Temperature Steam Electrolysis ¡ª Status and R&D Needs." The speakers of Session 4: "Radioactive Waste Management," included Anne Cocaud, of AREVA, France, who spoke about "Optimizing the Ultimate Waste Management through the Universal Canister Strategy," and S.N. Lim, S.G. Kim and D.K. Lee, all of the Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation, who spoke on "Plan and Preparedness for Low & Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Transport to the Wolsung Repository." The speakers of Session 5: "RI Production and Its Utilization," included Oh Sang-uk of the Korea Radioisotope Association, who spoke about the "Status and Prospects of Radioisotope Utilization in Korea," and Choi Sun-ju of KAERI on the "Global Status and Interests on Medical Radioisotope Supply." The speakers of Session 1(B): "Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants," included Lee Song-kyu, Chung Chang-kyu and Baik Se-jin, all of Korea Power Engineering Co., on the "Reactor Coolant Pump Seal Monitoring System Using Empirical Modeling Techniques." The speakers of Session 6: "Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction of NPP in Korea," included Y.S. Sul, Y.G. Oh, S.J. Han, K.W. Lee and J.T. Seo, all of Korea Power Engineering Co., on "Improved Design Features in NSSS I&C Systems for SKN 3 & 4," and Ryu Seung-bum, Park Moon-ki, Lee Jung-hun and Noh Byeong-wook, all of Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., "Assessment of Hill-Side Effect on RV CEDM Nozzles." The speakers of Session 7: "Nuclear Safety and Regulation: Aging Management & Risk-Informed Approach," included Choi Young-hwan of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, who spoke about the "Regulatory Status of Life Management in Nuclear Power Plants in Korea," and Rick Grendys and Charlie Kim of Westinghouse Electric Company on the "PWSCC Mitigation Method." The speakers of Session 8: "Nuclear Fuel Cycle," included Jean-Michel Grygiel of AREVA on "Sustaining Nuclear Programs through Recycling," and Park Byung-heung, Hur Jin-mok and Lee Han-soo, all of KAERI, on the "Recent Development of High Temperature Pyroprocessing Technology at KAERI." The 2009 Seoul Nuclear Industry Exhibition, held at the Seoul Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel on April 8-9, was a side event of the KAIF/ANS Annual Conference.
Exhibitors included Korea Nuclear Fuel (KNF), Korea Power Engineering Co. (KOPEC) Korea Plant Service & Engineering Co. (KPS), SOLIDENG, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., SungWoo E&T Co., AREVA, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., KAERI and Westinghouse Electric Company.
Attendees were given a good opportunity to get information on the new technologies and science in the world nuclear power industry as the exhibition highlighted the total system, including mechanical, electrical, architectural, physical, chemical and instrumental works related to the nuclear industry. nw

Take a look at a glance major exhibitors
Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co.
Established in 1962, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction is Korea's sole company that specializes in power plants, employs the highest level of technology especially in the area of nuclear power generation.
With its turn-key production lines and management systems for materials, design, construction, testing and services, maintenance and repair, Doosan is strengthening its position as a global leading company of nuclear power systems in both the Korean and international markets by accumulating remarkable business results.
Since building the Yonggwang Nuclear Power Unit 1&2 in 1976, Doosan has so far built a total of 17 nuclear power plants while six more are currently under construction.
Doosan is highly recognized both in domestic and overseas nuclear power industries with the best quality. Doosan is also devoted to developing solutions for services, nuclear waste solutions and other R&D programs.
KAERI
As the nation's center for promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has localized CANDU and PWR fuel technologies, and the deisgne of the Korean Standard Nuclear Power (KSNP).
KAERI has also designed and constructed a multi-purpose research reactor, HANARO on its own, which now plays a key role in Korea's R&D on radiation technology. The institute recently completed a new integrated thermal hydraulic experiment facility, ATLAS for various accident simulations of a nuclear power plant. KAERI is actively participating in international cooperation programs such as INPRO, Gen-IV and also developing a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor to prepare for the upcoming hydrogen economy era. It is also developing SMART for seawater desalination and generator of electricity on a mall-to medium scale. Especially, KAERI is focusing its efforts on the development of the Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) and pyroprocessing technology as the part of the Gen.-IV program.
KAERI's position as a think-tank in the area of nuclear technology will continue, and it hopes to contribute to its nuclear technology developments to the world as one of its international members.
KRMC
Established in January 2009 in accordance with the Radwate Management Act, the Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corp. (KRMC) is an independent company specializing in the national management of radwaste.
It main business areas include the strengthening of national management of radwaste, the establishment of the Government Funds for Radwaste Management and the improvement of transparency and stability of the financial resources for radwaste management.
KRMC's missions include the transport & disposal of low- and intermediate-level wastes,; interim storage & disposal of spent fuels,; siting, construction & operation of radwaste management facilities,; R&D on radioactive waste disposal and SF management,; and administration of radioactive Waste Management Fund.
WEC
Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) offers a wide range of nuclear plant products and services to utilities throughout the world, including fuel, service and maintenance, instrument and control, and advanced nuclear plant design.
The company is participating in OPR1000 and APR1400 projects in Korea which is based on Westinghouse System 80£— and System 80£— and System 80+£— design, respectively.
Westinghouse believes its AP1000 technology is ideally suited for the new worldwide nuclear marketplace. The AP1000 is an advanced and innovative PWR that incorporate passive safey features and it the only Gen.-III+ reactor that has received Final Design Approval and Design Certification from the U.S. Nuclear Regulation Commission.
In July 2007, Westinghouse signed contracts to provide four AP1000 nuclear plants in China where initial work is now under way. In 2008 and early 2009, Westinghouse signed three EPC contractions with U.S. utilities ¡ª Georgia Power, SCE&G and Progress Energy ¡ª to provide two saAP100 plants for each utility. Additionally, the AP1000 has been identified as the new plant technology of choice for eight additional nuclear plants that could be built in the United States.
AREVA
With manufacturing facilities in 43 countries and a sales network in more than 100, AREVA offers customers reliable technological solutions for CO2-free power generation and electricity transmission and distribution.
The company is the world's leader in nuclear power and the only company to cover all industrial activities in the field. Its 65,000 employees are committed to continuous improvement on a daily basis, making sustainable development in the focal point of the group's industrial strategy. AREVA's businesses help meet the 21st century's greatest challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet, and acting responsibly toward future generations. nw

Korean and foreign nuclear power experts exchange views at the 24th KAIF/KNS Annual Conference.

The participants of the 24th KAIF/KNS Annual Conference. (from left, top row) KINAC President Lee Hun-gyu,; Kim Ssang-su, chairman of the Korea Atomic Industrial Forum,; Korea Nuclear Society Chief Vice President Park Goon-cheorl,; KNS President Lee Jong-in,; Park Chan-mo, special adviser to the president for science and technology,; KHNP President Kim Jong-shin, KNF President Lee Ik-hwan,; and NewsWorld President-Publisher Elizabeth M. Oh. (from left, second row) KPS President Kwon Oh-hyung,; Min Gye-hong, president -CEO of the Korea Radwaste Management Corp.,; KIRAM President Kim Jong-soon,; Yoon Ik-bo, Korea branch manager of Westinghouse Electric,; Timothy J. Collier, Westinghouse Electric China Representative,; Lee Woo-bang, executive vice president in charge of construction at KHNP,; Yoon Ho-taik, executive vice president in charge of radwaste at KHNP,; and Kang Shin-heon, chief of the Public Relations Office at KHNP.

Park Jeong-yong, vice president of Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, present at the 2009 Seoul Nuclear Industry Exhibition.