Project description
Ensuring the integrity of Generation II and III nuclear reactor piping
Safety is a top priority for nuclear power plants, which account for over 25 % of energy production in Europe. Since current Generation II and Generation III reactors are expected to remain in operation for several more decades, it is vital to maintain the integrity of all components. The best way to do so is through continual assessment of ageing and degradation processes using advanced methodologies. The Euratom-funded ATLASplus project aims to perform a thorough probabilistic risk assessment on reactor piping components. Using advanced engineering methods, it will assess the structural resilience of existing pipes to gauge safety margins and validate their reliable long-term operation.
Objective
NFRP 1: 2016-2017 notes that “A number of current Generation II reactors should continue operating for a few decades and Generation III should still be in operation one century from now.” This requires a systematic ageing management procedure for justifying their safe long term operation (LTO). One fundamental part in this process is to demonstrate the integrity of the nuclear power plant components. The required safety margins are determined by considering various degradation and ageing mechanisms and postulated defects. This project focuses on open technology gaps, identified in the NUGENIA road map, related to piping components, not covered by other ongoing projects.
Specifically this project will focus on developing:
o innovative quantitative methodologies to transfer laboratory material properties to assess the structural integrity of large piping components,
o an enhanced treatment of weld residual stresses when subjected to long term operation,
o advanced simulation tools based on fracture mechanics methods using physically based mechanistic models,
o improved engineering methods to assess components under long term operation taking into account specific operational demands,
o integrated probabilistic assessment methods to reveal uncertainties and justify safety margins.
ATLAS+ will have a significant impact on the safety of operational Generation II and III nuclear power plants. The project will demonstrate and quantify inherent safety margins introduced by the conservative approaches used during design and dictated by codes and standards employed through-out the life of the plant. The outcomes from ATLAS+ will therefore support the long term operation of nuclear power plants. This will be achieved by using more advanced and realistic scientific methods to assess the integrity of piping. The project will provide evidence to support the methods by carrying out large scale tests using original piping materials.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
02150 Espoo
Finland
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Participants (22)
Participation ended
91052 Erlangen
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Participation ended
92400 Courbevoie
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75008 Paris
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WA16 8QZ Knutsford
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BS8 1QU Bristol
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75015 PARIS 15
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M13 9PL Manchester
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170 07 Solna
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
28040 MADRID
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28703 San Sebastian De Los Reyes - Madrid
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1116 Budapest
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1121 Budapest
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1000 Ljubljana
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1755 LE Petten
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MK7 6AA Milton Keynes
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70174 Stuttgart
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92260 Fontenay Aux Roses
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75272 Paris
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
75794 Paris
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
75272 Paris
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91052 Erlangen
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92400 Courbevoie
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