CELEX: 51975PC0344
Language: en
Date: 1975-07-07
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION (CEE) adopting a research programme for the continuation of the DRAGON project (submitted by the Commission to the Council)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (75) 344
Vol. 1975/0139
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                            COM(75)344 final
                                                            Brussels , 7 July 1975
                                   PROPOSAL FOR A
                               COUNCIL DECISION (GEE)
                       adopting a research programme for the
                         continuation of the DRAGON project
                   ( submitted "by the Commission to the Council )
  COMC75 ) 344 final
 ---pagebreak---                                                              111/587/75
                              Sxplanatory mer.oi'andum
 The DRAGON Agreement (which is implemented -under the auspices of the OECD)
 is due to expiaco on 31 liarch 1976 • On 17 April 197 5 v "the Board of Management
of the Dragon Project approved a proposal to extend the Agreement up to
31 Karch 1981 } i.e. , for a period of five years instead of three as in the
past . In this proposal } however , provision is made for the programme to be
reviewed after three years ; i.e. , by 31 liarch 1979 - If ? when this review
takes place , there does not seem to be any further point in continuing the
Agreement , the next two years would be spent in winding up the programmes
in an orderly manner , on both the technical and on the financial side . If,
on the other hand , it is considered desirable to go on with the Agreement ,
a decision to this effect would likewise have to be taken by 31 Karch 1979-
One advantage of this approach is that it would do much to facilitate the
administration of Project personnel , and thus improve their efficiency and
the quality of the services which the project can provide for the signatories
of the Agreement .
In accordance with Article 3 of the Agreement currently in force , the
decision concerning a further extension must be taken not later than
30 Jure 1975 *   ^      absence of any decision by that date , the project
management would become so critical that preliminary action to wind up
the project would have to be taken in July 1975 *      This would mean in
particular giving the three months notice laid down in the staff regulations
to practically all the staff , shutting down the reactor to start unloading,
and giving notice of the termination of all outside contracts ( irradiation ,
helium loops for testing materials , etc .).    The project is now left with
very little room for manoeuvre , and it will not be long before irreversible
steps have to be taken .    The financial position has been made very difficult
by the rate of inflation , which is much higher than was anticipated when the
current extension was being negotiated .
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 2 -
                                                           111/537/75
 Having regard to the medium-and long-term importance of high-temperature
 reactors both for power production and for other applications (synthetic
 fuels , high-temperature chemical and metallurgical processes , etc .), and
 the fact that the Dragon Project might contribute substantially to facilitate
 and speed up the attainment of these objectives , the Commission feels that
 it would be expedient to extend the Agreement on the lines proposed by the
 Board of Management . The technical programme would include the following
objectives :
1 ) The operation of the Dragon reactor up to larch I98O
2 ) The rational utilization of the irradiation facilities in the Dragon
   reactor ano. other European test reactors , supplemented by an appropriate
    programme of post-irradiation examinations , with the twofold aim of
    supporting any commercial initiatives that might be taken , and later
    developing the fuel technology with a view to advanced applications
3 ) Use of the primary circuit of the reactor for testing materials and
    components associated with power reactors ( e.g. , thermal insulation ,
    heat exchangers )
4) Use of the primary circuit of the reactor for studies on the diffusion ,
    deposition and entrainment of fission products .   These studies should
    enable the advantages of the HTR concept to be more clearly defined from
    the point of view of component accessibility and of safety
5) A general evaluation of the HTR concept in regard to safety
6 ) Research and development on materials for the primary circuit , with
    special emphasis on the problems posed by advanced applications . The
    tests planned under this programme will be carried out in the Dragon
    reactor itself, as well as in existing loops which are being used under
    contracts concluded with outside contractors
                                                                      ./.
 ---pagebreak---                                                          111/587/15
7) Definition and quantification of the major problems associated with
   materials for advanced applications : this would be undertaken by a
   small team, who would proceed to evaluate these systems in cooperation
   with bodies and industrial undertakings in the signatory states .
For the implementation of this programme , the Board of Management for the
Dragon project has recommended a total budget of 28 M it (67.2 m.u.a .) for
five years . This amount allows for the estimated effects of inflation ,
as well as for the closing down of the reactor if it is finally taken out
of service on termination of the Agreement .
                          ;
The Commission proposes that the contributions should be on the same basis
as in the current Agreement , namely, that Austria, Sweden and Switzerland
should continue to bear $.64 /0 of the total budget between them , and that
the overall contribution of the United Kingdom (UKlEA contribution plus the
UK participation in the joint programme of the Nine ) should remain at
48.30 fo. Having regard to the time scale for the forecast expenditure ,
this should represent a contribution of 6.48 m.u.a. ( 9*64 /-) for Austria,
Switzerland and Aktiebolaget Atomenergi of Sweden , 24.86 m.u.a. ( 36.99 r>)
for the UKAEA and 35*86 m.u.a. ( 53.37 $) for the Community .
In view of the foregoing, the Commission requests the Council to adopt
a programme of research in continuation of the Dragon Project (Art . 7 °f
the EAEC Treaty).
 ---pagebreak---                                                             111/624/75-E
                      FmiICIAL ÏÏ'SOOIÏD SÏTCBT '
Budget entry : Chapter 3.4-0 (DRAGON Agreement ) in the Statement of
               expenditure relating to research and investment activi­
               ties (Annex I , Section III - Commission - of the Sudget
               of the HJuropean Communities ).
Lcfral basis : Article 7 of the 2AEC Treaty
               Proposal forwarded to the Commission on
               Programme decision of the Council of
Authorizing Department : Directorate-General for Industrial and
                           Technological Affaire
Description and objectives of gjid 'reasons for the pro.ject :
Prolongation of the Agreement on the high-temperature gas reactor
(OECD Dragon Project ) beyond March 31st , 1976 . expiry date of present
                        /
Agreement which has been running since April 1st , 1973 *
The programme comprises :
1 ) operation of the Dragon reactor until March 31st , 1930 ;
2 ) R & D and assessments in connection with fuels , core materials and
    structures of the reactor , advanced applications' and safety.
The project is justified by the medium- and long-term adavantages of
the high-temperature reactor type , both for electricity generation
and for other applications ( synthetic fuels , chemical and metallur­
gical processes at high temperature ).
Duration of project :!. IV . 1916 to 31 . III . 1931 (5 years )
Staff requirements : 16 A' grade
                        4 B grade
                       20 persons
These 20 persons are Commission officials seconded to the Dragon
Project for which the total staff complement of A + 3 equivalent
will be about 77 *
 ---pagebreak---                              - 2 -                      IIl/62/;/75-S
 Cort of the pro^ect :
■The total cost of the programme is estimated at 67.2 IIUA (i 23 mil­
lion) for I976-I98I .
The Commission will contribute about 53.37 1°% i>e . 35,36 ilUA
 (t 14,943 million).
Schedule of commitments and payements : '
                                          Commitments       Pr.yments
                     1976                 . 25,000 MUA     7,000 líUA
                     1977                    6,360 ÍÍUA    6,910 IÍUA
                     1973                    1,500 MUA     7,300 IÍUA
                     1979                    1,500 HUA     7,300 HUA
                     1980 )
                          )                  1,500 KUA     7,350 IIUA
                     1931 )
Funding of the projent : .
The funds covering the Commission 's financial contribution to this
project will be requested for the first time in the preliminary draft
budget for the financial year 1976 •
Supervisions
Scientific , technical and financial supervision of the results is
carried out by the management and steering committees of the Dragon
Project , on which the Commission is represented .
Financial supervision in respect of the Commission 's contribution
is carried out by the Directorate-General for Financial Control .
 ---pagebreak---                                                               111/587/75
                                  PïïOPOSAL FORA
                                OODÎTCIL DSCISIOÏÏ
              adopting a research programme    for the
                continuation of the DRAGON Project
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN C0I3UIIITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community ,
and in particular Article 7 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ; which has consulted the
Scientific and Technical Committee
Considering that the Agreement concerning the high temperature gas cooled
reactor (Dragon ) between the Community , the United Kingdom Atomic Energy
Authority , the Republic of Austria, the Aktiebolaget Atomenergi ( Sweden )
and the Government of the Swiss Confederation expires oil the 31st March 1976
Considering the medium-long term interest of the high temperature gas cooled
reactor system
Considering, in consequence , the interest of extending the Agreement and of
continuing the participation of the Community
HAS DECIDES AS FOLLOWS î
                                Article    1
A research programme , as outlined in Annex , is adopted for the period 1st
April 1976 to 31st Earch 1Q81 .
                                Article    2
The financial obligations in respect of that programme shall not exceed
35»S6 million units of account . -     •
Donc c,t Dmssolc ,
                                                For tlio Ooancil
                                                Tho Prosi&ont
 ---pagebreak---                                                              111/587/75
                                     Annex
  The technical programma shall include :
  1 ) The operation of the Dragon reactor up to March I98O
  2 ) The rational utilization of the irradiation facilities in the Dragon
      reactor and other European test reactors , supplemented by an appropriate
      programme of post–irradiation examinations , with the twofold aim of
      supporting any commercial initiatives that might be taken , and later
      developing the fuel technology with a view to advanced applications
  3 ) Use of the primary circuit of the reactor for testing materials and
      components associated with power reactors (e.g. , thermal insulation ,
      heat exchangers )
  4) Use of the primary circuit of the reactor for studies on the diffusion ,
      deposition and entrainment of fission products .  These studies should
      enable the advantages of the HTR concept to be more clearly defined from
      the point of view of component accessibility and of safety
  5) A general evaluation of the HTR concept in regard to safety
  6 ) Research and development on materials for the primary circuit , with
      special emphasis on the problems posed by advanced applications .  The
      tests planned under this programme will be carried out in the Dragon
      reactor itself , as well as in existing loops which are being used under
      contracts concluded with outside contractors
  7 ) Definition and quantification of the major problems associated with
      materials for advanced applications j this would be undertaken by a
      small team , who would proceed to evaluate these systems in cooperation
      with bodies and industrial undertakings in the signatory states .
  This programme shall be executed by means of a new extension of the
  revised Agreement concerning the high temperature gas cooled reactor
. project (Dragon ).