Keeping the Nuclear Option Open - WP1

KNOO

Keeping the Nuclear Option Open

part of the Research Councils UK Energy Programme

Work Package 4 Leader: Prof. Tony Goddard, Imperial College London

Aims and Objectives PhD and PDRA training in systems modelling with respect to Gen IV Research into modelling fault and severe accident transient behaviour of VHTR and GFR systems Link materials performance and detailed heat transfer processes into safety performance research Develop the ability to predict the dynamical behaviour of fission products To form an overview of hydrogen production using nuclear heat from advanced reactors and comment on design implications To work closely with UK industry and international bodies Identify gaps in knowledge to supplement the UK contribution to the international programme The Technical Challenge WP/4 research will focus on advanced reactor design - with a significant research training element. Generation IV reactor concepts being evaluated internationally are intended to meet sustainability, safety, economic and proliferation resistance targets. This cross cutting research will focus on the safety of VHTR and GFR systems. The VHTR is aimed at high efficiency energy conversion to a variety of energy products (including hydrogen) requiring high temperatures. The GFR concept builds on the VHTR technology and safety approach. GFR fuel options include classical pellet fuel, particle fuel and dispersed fuel. The drive towards higher temperatures and the higher fuel densities required for fast spectrum systems implies innovative fuels with a ceramic clad (e.g. silicon carbide) possibly reinforced with carbon fibres, or inert matrix concepts in which the fuel is dispersed in a matrix consisting of e.g. carbide, nitride, or intermetallic compounds. The GFR fuel will have to withstand a much higher fast neutron fluence than the VHTR fuel. Issues on modelling control mechanisms may be more significant than is the case with VHTR. Projects Coupled 3D asymmetric neutronics/thermal hydraulics for Gen IV fault studies Heat Transfer in advanced ceramic fuel structures Radiation Damage Simulations Graphite issues for Generation IV Review of candidate material Design implications of hydrogen production Meetings Manchester (May 25, 2007) Annual Meeting - HMS Sultan (July 3-5, 2007)