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Establishment of Material Properties Database for Irradiated Core Structural Components for Continued Safe Operation and Lifetime Extension of Ageing Research Reactors
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
T34002CRP
1915Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
15 May 2017Participating Countries
Description
The proposed CRP will provide a forum for the establishment of a material properties Database for irradiated core structural components. A structured Database is required to understand the material behaviours in core components of research reactors for their continued safe operation and lifetime extension of ageing research reactors. This Database can be used by research reactor operators and regulators to help predict ageing related degradation. This would be useful to minimize unpredicted failures of core components and to mitigate lengthy and costly shutdowns. The Database will be a compilation of data from research reactor operator input, comprehensive literature reviews and experimental data from research reactor. The Database will be provided to all potential end users of Member States. Moreover, the CRP will specify further activities needed to address the identified data gaps of the Database for potential follow-on activities required by Member States.
Objectives
To collect, review and assess existing data of the relevant materials properties and operating experience with research reactors worldwide for inclusion in a Research Reactor Components and Material Properties Database that can be used by research reactor operators to help predict ageing related degradation in order to avoid lengthy and costly shutdowns, and to promote safe and reliable operation and lifetime extension.
Specific objectives
To obtain the data on relevant material properties and operating experience from research reactors; 2. To collect and revise materials’ data through comprehensive literature reviews;3. To evaluate and identify the data gaps;4. To compile an evaluated, reviewed and assessed database that can be used for sharing relevant information among interested Member States, that will establish a rational basis for research reactor material evaluation, and that will provide a structure for future incorporation of new data as it becomes available;5.?? To specify further activities needed to address the identified data gaps of the database for potential follow-on activities by the IAEA;6.?? To produce an IAEA publication that provides relevant information to users of the database.
The specific objectives of the CRP were
To obtain the data on relevant material properties from operating experience of research reactors;
To collect and collate materials data through comprehensive literature survey;
To evaluate and identify the data gaps;
To compile an evaluated, reviewed and assessed database that can be used for sharing relevant information among interested Member States, that will establish a rational basis for research reactor material evaluation, and that will provide a structure for future incorporation of new data as it becomes available;
To specify further activities needed to address the identified data gaps of the database for potential follow-on activities by the IAEA;
To produce an IAEA publication that provides relevant information to users of the database.
Impact
The impact was immediately after publishing the database. Experts working in operating organizations, regulatory bodies, and researchers use the database to improve their ageing management programs and understand the behavior of their reactor material.
Relevance
High relevance. All MSs participants and non-participants expressed a high interest in understanding the irradiated materials properties of the research reactor components for their ageing management programs especially since about 70% of the operational research reactors are over 40 years old.