MIDAS - Mechanistic understanding of Irradiation Damage in fuel Assemblies

为了达到英国的碳减排目标，并实现产生更少二氧化碳的能源结构，我们必须继续研究使核能更清洁、更便宜和更安全的方法。与此同时，随着欣克利角C等新反应堆的建设，英国需要培养能够运营、监管和解决民用核电技术问题的人才，以实现我们在核能方面的投资。在这方面很重要的一点是，英国目前运行的主要是老式的先进气冷反应堆，这与英国下一代核电站（将是轻水反应堆）有着根本的不同。就本研究项目而言，这一变化的关键在于，锆是轻水堆中首选的燃料包壳材料。核反应堆的一个主要部分是燃料组件，即封装高放射性核燃料的结构。了解用于制造这些组件的材料的性能对于安全、有效的操作至关重要，并且它们必须能够在正常操作、处理和存储期间保持其结构，以及在不太可能发生的事故中存活下来，当它们成为防止放射性物质逸出的关键时。由于需要尽可能安全地运行核反应堆，燃料通常在使用之前就被移除，因为我们目前对燃料组件材料还不够了解，因此必须采取高度谨慎、安全第一的方法。然而，这确实意味着运行反应堆的成本更高，因为组件必须在所有燃料消耗殆尽之前很长一段时间内更换，这也意味着组件随后——过早地——成为额外的核废料，必须以更高的成本安全地移交和储存。通过更深入地了解组件材料在辐照时的表现，我们将能够做出更准确的安全案例，这意味着燃料组件可以使用更长时间而不会有额外的风险。这些知识将使英国能够更有效地运行下一代反应堆，显著降低核电成本。考虑到英国将使用轻水反应堆，而不是先进的气冷反应堆，这一点现在尤为重要，有了它，燃料组件和材料将发生根本性的变化。这项研究工作也将大大有利于其他使用核能的国家，这将使英国成为该领域的专业知识中心。这将进一步吸引对英国研发的外来投资，在清洁能源的同时创造未来的财富和就业。该项目的第二个关键主题将是探索在未来聚变反应堆的关键部件中使用锆合金。英国在为ITER和DEMO国际聚变项目选择材料方面处于领先地位，这一主题将有助于维护英国作为聚变研究卓越中心的声誉。

In order to meet the UK's carbon reduction targets, and achieve an energy mix that produces less CO2, we must continue to investigate ways in which to make nuclear power cleaner, cheaper and safer. At the same time, as new reactors such as Hinkley Point C are built, the UK needs to develop the work force who will operate, regulate and solve technical problems in civil nuclear power, in order to capitalise on our investment in nuclear energy. Important in this respect is that the UK currently operates mainly old advanced gas-cooled reactors, fundamentally different from the next fleet of UK nuclear power stations, which will be light-water reactors. Key to this change, in terms of this research project, is that Zirconium is a preferred fuel cladding material in LWRs.A major part of a nuclear reactor is the fuel assembly - the structure that encapsulates the highly radioactive nuclear fuel. Understanding the performance of the materials used to make these assemblies is critical for safe, efficient operation, and they must be able to maintain their structure during normal operation, handling and storage, as well as survive in the unlikely event of an accident, when they become crucial in preventing the escape of radioactive materials. Because of the need to operate nuclear reactors as safely as possible, fuel is often removed well before it is spent, as we currently do not know enough about fuel assembly materials, so must adopt a highly cautious, safety-first approach. This does mean, however, that it is more costly to run a reactor, as assemblies must be replaced well before all the fuel is consumed, and this also means the assembly then - prematurely - becomes additional nuclear waste, which must be safely handed and stored, at further high cost.By gaining greater understanding of how assembly materials perform when irradiated, we will be able to make more accurate safety cases, which will mean that fuel assemblies can be used for longer periods without additional risk. Such knowledge will enable the UK to operate the next generation of reactors far more efficiently, significantly reducing the cost of nuclear power. This is particularly important now, given that the UK is going to have light-water, instead of advanced gas-cooled, reactors, and with it the fuel assembly and its material will change very fundamentally.This research effort will also significantly benefit other countries using nuclear energy, which will establish the UK as a centre of expertise in the area. This will further attract inward investment in research and development in the UK, creating future wealth and employment alongside cleaner energy.A second key theme of the project will be to explore the use of zirconium alloys in critical components for future fusion reactors. The UK has a leading position in defining the materials that will be chosen for the ITER and DEMO international fusion projects, and this theme will contribute to maintaining the UK's reputation as a centre of excellence in fusion research.