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CORDIS - Forschungsergebnisse der EU
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Plastic ceramic films to improve safety of modern nuclear energy

Projektbeschreibung

Das Image der Kernenergie durch mehr Sicherheit aufbessern

Schwere Reaktorunfälle, wie zum Beispiel 2011 im japanischen Atomkraftwerk Fukushima Daiichi, haben gezeigt, dass die Sicherheit moderner Kernreaktoren verbessert werden muss. Die Beschädigung der Brennstoffhülle – der Schutzschicht zwischen den Brennstäben und dem Reaktorkühlmittel – ist bei einem Leichtwasserreaktor (LWR) einer der Hauptgründe für radioaktive Kontamination. Damit solche Unfälle nicht in Europa passieren, soll im Rahmen des EU-finanzierten Projekts PLASTICERA in erster Linie eine neue unfalltolerante Brennstabbeschichtung für moderne Leichtwasserreaktoren entwickelt werden. Dadurch könnte Kernenergie deutlich sicherer und ihr Image im Sinne der Bekämpfung des Klimawandels außerdem aufgebessert werden.

Ziel

Aim of the project PLASTICERA is to prevent nuclear accidents similar to Fukushima Daiichi from happening in Europe. Primary objective of PLASTICERA is to develop a new accident tolerant fuel (ATF) concept for modern nuclear light water reactors (LWR). Today, nuclear energy is an essential environmental issue as it is one of the key scalable technologies to battle climate change. Promoting the use of nuclear energy is largely based on public opinion and therefore creating safer and more sustainable ways to produce nuclear energy is more important than ever. The concept of PLACTICERA relies on amorphous oxide thin films to protect the primary fuel cladding from catastrophic damage during nuclear accident conditions. The oxide thin film can provide unique combination of a strong oxygen diffusion barrier with the capability to accommodate the plastic strain originating from the fuel bar thermal expansion. This functional coating could significantly delay the onset of uncontrollable degradation of the primary fuel cladding, allowing timely emergency cooling, and preventing the release of radioactive substances. The primary objective will be achieved by training Dr. Erkka J. Frankberg (fellow) with new skills in disruptive material manufacturing technologies capable of producing ceramic materials, especially amorphous oxides, with prerequisites for low temperature plasticity. These materials will then be tested for mechanical and corrosion properties in relevant environment resembling LWR normal operating conditions and conditions occurring during “loss of cooling water” (LOCA) -type accident.

Koordinator

FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
Netto-EU-Beitrag
€ 91 736,64
Adresse
VIA MOREGO 30
16163 Genova
Italien

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Region
Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova
Aktivitätstyp
Research Organisations
Links
Gesamtkosten
€ 91 736,64