The radiation effect investigation of advanced nanoparticle dispersed alloys used in molten salt reactors

加拿大自然资源部特别强调小型模块化核反应堆是逐步淘汰化石燃料能源的先进能源系统，以实现温室气体减排目标，并帮助该国偏远的北方社区。在目前的许多SMR模型中，熔盐反应堆（MSR）由于其高安全性和效率因素而被加拿大供应商认为是一个现实的原型。然而，由于其预期的严重辐照和腐蚀环境，MSR的主要结构材料的选择和设计可能会受到高度关注。在熔盐环境中，它们的性能相对较少研究，因此建立一个程序来评估候选材料是至关重要的，该程序使用同时辐照和腐蚀的模拟条件（代表SMR条件）。该项目的目的是从辐射方面研究熔盐中选定的候选材料，并在辐射场的存在下完成候选材料的测试，重点是在皇后学院质子加速器上安装的熔盐设施中的纳米颗粒分散合金（主要是Ni和Fe基）。这项工作将是首次实验，也是MSR技术的关键发展。

The small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) have been highlighted specifically by Natural Resources Canada as advanced energy system for phasing out fossil fuel energy sources to meet the target of greenhouse gas emission reduction, and also to assist remote northern communities in the country. Among many current SMR models Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) is considered a realistic prototype by Canadian vendors due to its high safety and efficiency factors. However, the major structure material selection and design for MSR may be highly concerned due to their expected severe irradiation and corrosion environment. In molten salts environments their performances are relatively rarely studied, so it is crucial to establish a program to evaluate the candidate materials using simulation conditions with simultaneous irradiation and corrosion (representative of SMR conditions). This project will aim to examine selected candidate materials in molten salts from radiation aspect and accomplish the testing of candidate materials in the presence of radiation fields, focusing on nanoparticle dispersed alloys (Ni and Fe based primarily) in a molten salt facility for mounting on the proton accelerator at Queen's. The work will be first-of-a-kind experiments and a critical development of MSR technology.