ENS Topical Meeting on Research Reactor Fuel Management (RRFM):

Annual meeting point for specialists in nuclear research reactor fuel

Since 1997, the annual ENS conference on Research Reactor Fuel Management (RRFM) has been providing an international forum for the exchange of information on all significant aspects of nuclear fuel cycle of research reactors.

Research reactors are usually housed in nuclear research institutes. At present, there are 272 operational research reactors worldwide, 382 reactors have shut down (168 have not yet been decommissioned), and 17 reactors are being built or planned. These reactors are or have been used for materials testing, pure and applied research, radioisotope production for medicine and industry, and teaching/training. In all cases, the fuel supply, including new fuel options, spent fuel management and options for storage and disposal, remain areas of concern for reactor operators and other stakeholders. It is these concerns which the RRFM conference addresses.

Objective of RRFM conferences

• To serve as a forum for researchers, decision-makers and consultants, to discuss all significant aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle management of research reactors.

• To help improve operational efficiency and fuel safety.

• To contribute to the search for back-end solutions for spent fuel.