Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

R&D Planning of Thorium Fuel Pellets Fabrication Using Technology Roadmapping Technique

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

A Ahmadi 1
S Ghazinoory 2
S. J Ahmadi 3
B Soltani 4
F Saghafi 5
N Mohseni 3

1 1.National Research Institute for Science Policy 2.Materials and Nuclear Fuel Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI

2 Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University

3 Materials and Nuclear Fuel Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI

4 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Kashan University

5 Faculty of Management, University of Tehran

https://doi.org/10.24200/nst.2018.192
Abstract
Increasing of the global energy demand, effects of greenhouse gases emissions and restrictions on the use of renewable energies, will inevitably lead to rise again nuclear energy in the future. Due to the importance of energy security and the sustainability of resources, better waste management, as well as the inability to use nuclear proliferation, many countries have focused on the use of Thorium fuel in the nuclear energy field. It is very difficult to select appropriate technologies and make the right decisions about investing for R & D managers and policymakers because of resource constraints. The aim of this study is to use the technology roadmapping to support the development of the Thorium fuel pellets fabrication technology planning. First, the types of technology roadmapping processes were identified and T-plan approach were selected. Next, by holding workshops and expert panels, the type of fuel pellet, mixed Thorium with 4.8% enriched Uranium oxide pellet, was selected among carbide, oxide and metal fuels and  its functional characteristics determined. Based on the technology importance, which was considered as capability and attractivity indicators, sedimentation and sol-gel methods were selected for powder production technologies, and SGMP and powder metalorgy methods were chosen because of their priorities. Finally, with the suggestion of research projects for the acquisition of technical knowledge of Thorium Fuel pellet fabrication, the technology  roadmap was developed.

Highlights

[1] IEA, & OECD, Energy Technology Roadmaps (2014).

 [2] C. Kerr, R. Phaal, D. Probert, Cogitate, articulate, communicate: The psychosocial reality of technology roadmapping and roadmaps. R and D Management (2012).

 [3] N. Gerdsri, R. Vatananan, S. Dansamasatid, Dealing with the dynamics of technology roadmapping implementation: A case study. Technological  Forecasting and Social change, (2009). Retrieved from http://www. sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S0040162508000528.

 [4] M. Amer, T.U. Daim, Application of technology roadmaps for renewable energy sector, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, (2010) http://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2010. 05.002.

 [5] R. Phaal, G. Muller, An architectural framework for roadmapping: Towards visual strategy, Technological Forecasting and Social Change,  76(1) (2009) 39–49. http://doi.org/10.1016/j. techfore.2008.03.018.

 [6] R. Phaal, C.J. Farrukh, D.R. Probert, Technology roadmapping—A planning framework for evolution and revolution, Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2004). http://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-1625(03) 00072-6.

 [7] B. Yoon, R. Phaal, D. Probert, Morphology analysis for technology roadmapping: application of text mining, R&d Management (2008).  Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary. wiley.com/ doi/10.1111/j.1467-9310.2007.00493.x/pdf.

 [8] R. Phaal, E. O’Sullivan, M. Routley, S. Ford, D. Probert, A framework for mapping industrial emergence, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 78(2) (2011) 217–230. http://doi. org/10.1016/j.techfore.2010.06.018.

 [9] N. Shibata, Y. Kajikawa, I. Sakata, Extracting the commercialization gap between science and technology- Case study of a solar cell, Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2010).  http://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore. 2010.03.008.

[10] I. Petrick, A. Echols, Technology roadmapping in review: A tool for making sustainable new product development decisions, Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2004). Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/ science/article/pii/S0040162503000647.

 [11] R. Phaal, E. O’Sullivan, M. Routley, S. Ford, D. Probert, A framework for mapping industrial emergence, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 78(2) (2011) 217–230. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2010.06.018.

 [12] IEA/NEA, Technology Roadmap: Nuclear Energy, OECD/IEA/NEA, Paris, (2010) 6.

 [13] NEA, & OECD, Technology Roadmap: Nuclear Energy (2015).

 [14] Forum, U. S. D. N. E. R. A. C. and the G. I. I, A Technology Roadmap for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems (2002), Retrieved from http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/859029-304XRr /.

 [15] OECD, Technology Roadmap Update for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems, Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Energy Needs (2014).

 [16] H. Graham, The lost chance. Newsweek, December 2006–. February (2007) 63.

 [17] IAEA, IAEA Nuclear Energy Series Role of Thorium to Supplement Fuel Cycles of Future Nuclear Energy Systems, (2012a) 157, Retrieved from www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/ Publications/ PDF/ Pub1540_web.pdf.

 [18] K. Furukawa, K. Arakawa, Erbay, L. B. Ito, Y. Kato, Y. Kiyavitskaya, … R. Yoshioka, A road map for the realization of global-scale thorium breeding fuel cycle by single molten-fluoride flow. Energy Conversion and Management (2008). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman. 2007.09.027.

 [19] IAEA, Thorium fuel cycle — Potential benefits and challenges (2005).

 [20] IAEA, IAEA Nuclear Energy Series Role of Thorium to Supplement Fuel Cycles of Future Nuclear Energy Systems, (2012b) 157.

 [21] B. De Laat, S. McKibbin, The Effectiveness of Technology Road Mapping: Building a Strategic Vision. Ministry of Economic Affairs (2003).

 [22] M.L. Garcia, O.H. Bray, Fundamentals of Technology Roadmapping (1997).

 [23] R. Phaal, D.R. Probert, A framework for supporting the management of technological knowledge, International Journal of Technology Management, 27(1) (2004) 1–15. Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/inward/record. uri?eid=2-s2.0- 1342330071&partnerID= 40&md5=d8e8a1be6617d612ef8e7956cdbf6cc2.

 [24] C. Holmes, M. Ferrill, The application of Operation and Technology Roadmapping to aid Singaporean SMEs identify and select emerging technologies. Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2005). http://doi.org/10.1016/j. techfore.2004.08.010.

 [25] IAEA, CLIMATE CHANGE AND NUCLEAR POWER (2013).

 [26] IAEA, Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power : Developments and Projections (2007).

 [27] Gov, International Status and Prospects for Nuclear Power (2012) 566.

 [28] N. Mohseni, Fabrication of ThO2 and (Th,U)O2 fuel pellets using nano and micro particles of Thorium Dioxide, PhD Thesis, Nuclear Science & Technology Research Insitute (2016).

Keywords

Technology roadmap
Research and Development
Thorium fuel
[1] IEA, & OECD, Energy Technology Roadmaps (2014).
 [2] C. Kerr, R. Phaal, D. Probert, Cogitate, articulate, communicate: The psychosocial reality of technology roadmapping and roadmaps. R and D Management (2012).
 [3] N. Gerdsri, R. Vatananan, S. Dansamasatid, Dealing with the dynamics of technology roadmapping implementation: A case study. Technological  Forecasting and Social change, (2009). Retrieved from http://www. sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S0040162508000528.
 [4] M. Amer, T.U. Daim, Application of technology roadmaps for renewable energy sector, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, (2010) http://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2010. 05.002.
 [5] R. Phaal, G. Muller, An architectural framework for roadmapping: Towards visual strategy, Technological Forecasting and Social Change,  76(1) (2009) 39–49. http://doi.org/10.1016/j. techfore.2008.03.018.
 [6] R. Phaal, C.J. Farrukh, D.R. Probert, Technology roadmapping—A planning framework for evolution and revolution, Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2004). http://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-1625(03) 00072-6.
 [7] B. Yoon, R. Phaal, D. Probert, Morphology analysis for technology roadmapping: application of text mining, R&d Management (2008).  Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary. wiley.com/ doi/10.1111/j.1467-9310.2007.00493.x/pdf.
 [8] R. Phaal, E. O’Sullivan, M. Routley, S. Ford, D. Probert, A framework for mapping industrial emergence, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 78(2) (2011) 217–230. http://doi. org/10.1016/j.techfore.2010.06.018.
 [9] N. Shibata, Y. Kajikawa, I. Sakata, Extracting the commercialization gap between science and technology- Case study of a solar cell, Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2010).  http://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore. 2010.03.008.
[10] I. Petrick, A. Echols, Technology roadmapping in review: A tool for making sustainable new product development decisions, Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2004). Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/ science/article/pii/S0040162503000647.
 [11] R. Phaal, E. O’Sullivan, M. Routley, S. Ford, D. Probert, A framework for mapping industrial emergence, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 78(2) (2011) 217–230. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2010.06.018.
 [12] IEA/NEA, Technology Roadmap: Nuclear Energy, OECD/IEA/NEA, Paris, (2010) 6.
 [13] NEA, & OECD, Technology Roadmap: Nuclear Energy (2015).
 [14] Forum, U. S. D. N. E. R. A. C. and the G. I. I, A Technology Roadmap for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems (2002), Retrieved from http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/859029-304XRr /.
 [15] OECD, Technology Roadmap Update for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems, Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Energy Needs (2014).
 [16] H. Graham, The lost chance. Newsweek, December 2006–. February (2007) 63.
 [17] IAEA, IAEA Nuclear Energy Series Role of Thorium to Supplement Fuel Cycles of Future Nuclear Energy Systems, (2012a) 157, Retrieved from www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/ Publications/ PDF/ Pub1540_web.pdf.
 [18] K. Furukawa, K. Arakawa, Erbay, L. B. Ito, Y. Kato, Y. Kiyavitskaya, … R. Yoshioka, A road map for the realization of global-scale thorium breeding fuel cycle by single molten-fluoride flow. Energy Conversion and Management (2008). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman. 2007.09.027.
 [19] IAEA, Thorium fuel cycle — Potential benefits and challenges (2005).
 [20] IAEA, IAEA Nuclear Energy Series Role of Thorium to Supplement Fuel Cycles of Future Nuclear Energy Systems, (2012b) 157.
 [21] B. De Laat, S. McKibbin, The Effectiveness of Technology Road Mapping: Building a Strategic Vision. Ministry of Economic Affairs (2003).
 [22] M.L. Garcia, O.H. Bray, Fundamentals of Technology Roadmapping (1997).
 [23] R. Phaal, D.R. Probert, A framework for supporting the management of technological knowledge, International Journal of Technology Management, 27(1) (2004) 1–15. Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/inward/record. uri?eid=2-s2.0- 1342330071&partnerID= 40&md5=d8e8a1be6617d612ef8e7956cdbf6cc2.
 [24] C. Holmes, M. Ferrill, The application of Operation and Technology Roadmapping to aid Singaporean SMEs identify and select emerging technologies. Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2005). http://doi.org/10.1016/j. techfore.2004.08.010.
 [25] IAEA, CLIMATE CHANGE AND NUCLEAR POWER (2013).
 [26] IAEA, Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power : Developments and Projections (2007).
 [27] Gov, International Status and Prospects for Nuclear Power (2012) 566.
 [28] N. Mohseni, Fabrication of ThO2 and (Th,U)O2 fuel pellets using nano and micro particles of Thorium Dioxide, PhD Thesis, Nuclear Science & Technology Research Insitute (2016).

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