Descripción del proyecto
Reforzar la seguridad y mejorar la imagen de la energía nuclear
Los accidentes nucleares graves, como el de la central nuclear japonesa de Fukushima Dai-ichi en 2011, han puesto de manifiesto la necesidad de mejorar la seguridad de los reactores nucleares modernos. Un mecanismo clave que interviene en la contaminación radiactiva durante el fallo de un reactor de agua ligera (RAL) es el daño al revestimiento del combustible, es decir, a la capa protectora presente entre las barras de combustible y el refrigerante del reactor. Para evitar que se produzcan accidentes parecidos en Europa, el objetivo principal del proyecto financiado con fondos europeos PLASTICERA es desarrollar un nuevo revestimiento de combustible que resista a los accidentes para su uso en los RAL modernos. El proyecto podría mejorar de forma considerable la seguridad de la energía nuclear y mejorar su imagen como herramienta en la lucha contra el cambio climático.
Objetivo
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.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsnuclear energy
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringceramics
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinador
16163 Genova
Italia