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WP4: Project 4
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Graphite issues for Generation IV
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Investigators: Professor B. Marsden
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The graphite moderated Very High Gas-Cooled Reactor (VHTR) is one of the leading contenders in the Generation IV programme. To obtain a core life to ~40 years as required under Generation IV aims new longer lasting graphite needs to be developed for VHTR technology along with methods to predict its irradiation behaviour. The establishment of a mechanistic understating of graphite ageing, required to maintain current generation capacity as described in W/P2, will also provide the tools for innovative, new graphitic material to be developed for a new generation of VHTRs. This will involve the development of mechanistic models that may be used to predict the irradiation behaviour of new novel graphitic material from knowledge of the unirradiated microstructure. Initial attempts at modelling irradiation induced dimensional changes and modulus changes in Gilsocarbon (AGR), Pile Grade A (Magnox), GR-280 (RBMK) graphite [Hall et al.] have given promising results however the models require further development and validation as well as extending to other properties.
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