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Prediction of Axial and Radial Creep in Pressure Tubes
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
I31023CRP
1895Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
29 November 2018Description
Pressure tube deformation is a critical ageing issue in operating heavy water reactors (HWRs). Depending on the years of service, horizontal pressure tubes may show one of three kinds of deformation: diametral creep leading to coolant flow bypass in the fuel bundles and a related penalty to the critical heat flux for fuel rods; longitudinal creep leading to disruption of the feeder pipes and/or the fuelling machine; and sagging leading to interference with in-core components and potential contact between the pressure tube and calandria tube. The CRP scope includes the establishment of a database for pressure tube deformation, microstructure characterization of pressure tube materials collected from HWRs currently operating in Member States, and development of a prediction model for pressure tube deformation. The CRP has been planned on the advice and with the support of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy’s Technical Working Group on Advanced Technologies for Heavy Water Reactors. The CRP is conducted by the Nuclear Power Technology Development Section within the Department of Nuclear Energy.
Objectives
To promote international collaboration among IAEA Member States through the sharing the data and participating in the development of prediction model and microstructure characterization of pressure tube materials for operating heavy water reactors.
Specific objectives
To improve safety for currently operating plants and to facilitate more economic and safe designs for future plants
To improve safety for currently operating plants and to facilitate more economic and safe designs for future plants
Impact
The CRP included the establishment of a database for pressure tube deformation, microstructure characterization of pressure tube materials collected from heavy water reactors currently operating in Member States and assessments of prediction models for radial pressure tube deformation.
Relevance
This CRP, recommended at the Technical Working Group on Advanced Technologies for HWRs (TWG–HWR) meeting held on 26–28 July 2011 and developed during a Technical Meeting on 16–18 November 2011, aimed at establishing a database for in–reactor pressure tube deformation, microstructure characterization of pressure tube materials collected from HWRs currently operating in Member States and the development of improved prediction models for pressure tube deformation; and generated new knowledge supporting:
1. Establishment of the first all inclusive international database of in reactor measurements of the pressure tube diametral creep;
2. Microstructure characterization of pressure tube material coupons collected from currently operating HWRs;
3. Development of prediction models or methods for pressure tube deformation.