Advanced computational modelling for the development of nuclear reactor materials

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This proposal recommends that the thermodynamic expertise of the principal investigator, Dr. Emily Corcoran and the funding and support of COG, UNENE and CFM be leveraged to assist and enhance the understanding and development of nuclear reactor materials while nurturing and encouraging willing talent in support of the Canadian Nuclear industry initiatives. Three separate projects, which are of interest to the nuclear industry, are proposed. Namely: 1) Thermodynamic modelling of alternative Be-replacement brazing materials will assist the nuclear industry to identify of the best alternative material that could replace, the potentially toxic, beryllium braze utilized currently; 2) Computational modelling of stress corrosion cracking mitigation techniques for nuclear fuel bundles, will lead to an improved understanding of SCC phenomenon, which could assist the industry to determine alternative mitigation strategies and improve operational margins; and 3) Developing a Molybdenum (Mo)-based oxygen sensor for nuclear fuel will improve knowledge of the behavior of the Mo fission product in the nuclear fuel as a function of oxygen partial pressure. Data, as a function of oxygen partial pressure, will be gathered on the phase portion of Mo in the metal and oxide phases, the solubility MoO2 in the UO2+x phase, the non-stoichiometry of MoO2 phase and the formation of UMoO6. This data will assist in developing a forensic methodology for determining the local oxygen partial pressure in high burnup nuclear fuel, which has applications in post irradiation examination of defective fuel and advanced fuel. This data will also assist in the development of our Canadian thermodynamic nuclear fuel model.