Nuclear Safety Uncertainty Development Project

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In an unprecedented energy policy signal, the federal government and four provinces have stated their intention to utilize low-carbon nuclear energy to meet existing and future electricity needs. This Alliance Proposal was developed jointly between Dr. Novog and University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE) to generate new experimental data and models needed for existing CANDU reactors as well as the emerging opportunities related to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Long standing fundamental issues on safety analysis predictions and uncertainty assessments will be addressed in this project. This proposal aims to i) improve measurements and models related to nuclear fuel integrity including development of advanced instrumentation for measurement of void fraction and Critical Heat Flux (CHF) phenomena, ii) develop the next generation of Multiphysics modelling and uncertainty analysis methodologies, and iii) develop new risk-informed tools for assessment of SMR accidents and emergency planning. The experimental phase of the project will collect Computerized Tomography (CT) and radiograph images of important phenomena related to fuel and fuel channel integrity using advanced CT systems and new single-photon counting based radiography. The modelling phases of the work examine the application of data assimilation, Bayesian frameworks, and machine learning methods for improved knowledge of uncertainties in Multiphysics predictions. Finally, the project will look at the entire suite of physical models needed for risk-informed characterization of SMRs by developing a new framework for these assessments based on Monte-Carlo methodologies. Significant consideration is given in this proposal to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) issues within the nuclear safety community, the linkages to existing EDI initiatives led by Dr. Novog, and the training of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP).