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Writer's pictureSNU Nuclear Fuel Cycle & Nonproliferation Lab

SNUNFC Attends ICAPP 2023

April 23-27, 2023


Members of Seoul National University Nuclear Fuel Cycle & Nonproliferation Lab (SNUNFC) recently travelled to Gyeongju, South Korea to attend the 2023 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP) which was held in conjunction with the 38th Korea Atomic Power Annual Conference. They were joined by SNUNFC Alumni Dr James Amphlett, now at Seaborg Technologies in Denmark.


SNUNFC Attend ICAPP 2023
 

ICAPP 2023 (2023 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants)


Since 2002, the ICAPP series has provided a valuable opportunity to share new technologies, information and experience in nuclear power and to discuss important issues among industry, research, academic leaders and experts around the world. ICAPP Conferences also provide the most precious fora for active discussion on various aspects of nuclear reactor development and applications. This year’s conference particularly focused on SMRs, which have recently attracted global attention, and discussed diversifying applications of nuclear technology for more effective contribution to carbon neutrality and energy security. An international exhibition of Korea’s nuclear industry was also held in parallel.


ICAPP 2023

Korea currently supplies 25 to 30 percent of its electricity with 25 nuclear power plants. Three more nuclear power plants are under construction, and two nuclear power plants, which were suspended at the start of construction, are also being prepared to resume construction. Gyeongju, the host city of ICAPP 2023 Conference, is at the heart of Korean nuclear power capabilities, making it an ideal location for ICAPP 2023.


A total 3 plenary sessions and 11 technical tracks were organised:

  • 01. Water Cooled Reactor Programs & Related Small Modular Reactor Developments

  • 02. Molten Salt Reactors

  • 03. High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors

  • 04. Fast Reactors & Other Advanced Reactors

  • 05. Integrated Application of Nuclear Energy Systems

  • 06. Operation, Performance & Reliability Management

  • 07. Plant Safety Assessment, Regulatory & Licensing Issues

  • 08. Reactor Physics Analysis

  • 09. Thermal Hydraulics Analysis Testing

  • 10. Fuel Cycle & Waste Management

  • 11. Materials & Structural Issues


SNUNFC Arrive at ICAPP 2023!

Technical tour programs covering a nuclear power plant and key component manufacturing facilities after the conference as well as cultural programs for accompanying families during the conference were also run. Nuclear energy is rising again as a key for carbon neutrality and energy security. Thus, the ICAPP 2023 Conference marked a key milestone in this rejuvenation.


Welcome Reception

ICAPP 2023 opened with a welcome reception and networking event on Sunday 23rd for early attendees. The reception was opened with a welcome address from Won-Pil Baek, General Chair and President of the Korean Nuclear Society (KNS). An open buffet was provided, accompanied with a string quartet performance. The reception was a chance to meet up with old friends and break the ice with new acquaintances.


Technical Sessions


The conference technical sessions were held over three days covering 11 Technical Tracks in 39 sessions. A dedicated student presentation competition was also held bringing the total number of technical tacks and sessions up to 12 and 40, respectively. SNUNFC were represented in Technical Track 10: Fuel Cycle & Waste Management during the Decontamination and Decommissioning Session with two presentations by Prof. Foster. The first described work that he previously conducted during his time at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute which involved developing a waste treatment and solidification process for a spent uranium waste catalyst. His second talk introduced the on-going work at SNUNFC looking at the potential application of Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) to the nuclear industry, and posed the question 'Are DES a viable candidate for decontamination and decommissioning process'? The session was also a welcomed return of former research fellow Dr Amphlett, now at Seaborg Technologies, who chaired the session as well as delivering an update on developments at Seaborg on Mechanistic Source Term Development during the MSR Nuclear Reactor Design and Analysis session. SNUNFC's very own Dr. Aberdeen also supported the technical sessions, acting as chair of the Storage, Transportation, and Disposal session along with Dr. Grosse of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany.


  • Prof. Foster: "From Waste to Wasteform: The Story of a Troublesome Spent Uranium Catalyst"

  • Prof. Foster: "Potential for the Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents within the Nuclear Industry: A Steppingstone Towards Safe, Eco-friendly, and Economical Decommissioning"

  • Dr. Amphlett: "The Compact Molten Salt Reactor: Mechanistic Source Term Development"



SNUNFC members also contributed to the poster session held during ICAPP 2023. Held over three days and five sessions, the poster sessions were a great opportunity for networking and to further disseminate the on-going work from the group:



SNUNFC's Y. Lee Delivers an Award Winning Poster
  • Prof. Foster: "Preliminary Non-Destructive Evaluation of a Metakaolin Geopolymer Wasteform Utilizing 3-Dimensional X-ray Computed Tomography"

  • Prof. Foster: "Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents for Tackling Nuclear Decommissioning Wastes: Surface Decontamination of Protective Duplex Oxide Layers on Stainless Steel"

  • S. Park: "Thermo-Hydro Behavior Model for the Estimation of Multi-Canister Disposal Scenarios and Various Disposal Methods"

  • Y. Lee: "In-situ Measurement of Fission Products in Molten Salts Using Machine Learning-assisted Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy"


ICAPP 2023 Poster Session

Banquet


A BBQ buffet banquet and evening performance brought about the end of day two of the conference. Due to rain the banquet was held in the HICO convention centre, being relocated from the original Hwanglyongwon Gardens. The banquet proved to be a melting pot of ideas and an opportunity for the attendees to relax and unwind, with many of the having already delivered their presentations, although a thought was spared for those left to present on the final day of the conference!


Conference Banquet Accompanied by a Live Jazz Performance

Closing Ceremony

Wednesday brought about the close of the conference which was attended by 596 participants from 27 countries, including 116 students representing 19% of the conference attendees. Attendees witnessed 13 plenary speakers, attended 197 oral presentations and engaged with 96 poster presentations. The next ICAPP conference, ICAPP 2024, will be held from 9-12 June 2024 in Las Vegas, USA.


The conference was also cause for celebration for SNUNFC with Yunu Lee being awarded one of the 24 Best Paper Awards at the conference for his poster titled: "In-situ Measurement of Fission Products in Molten Salts Using Machine Learning-assisted Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy". Congratulations Yunu!


Award Ceremony for Best Paper Awardees
Closing Ceremony of ICAPP 2023
 

Further Reading:


ICAPP 2023 Final Program:

ICAPP 2023 E-Proceedings:


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