Nuclear Safety Uncertainty Development Project

在史无前例的能源政策信号中，联邦政府和四个省份表示，他们打算利用低碳核能来满足现有和未来的电力需求。该联盟提案由Novog博士和大学核工程卓越网络(UNENE)共同开发，旨在生成现有CANDU反应堆以及与小型模块反应堆(SMR)相关的新机会所需的新实验数据和模型。这个项目将解决长期存在的关于安全分析、预测和不确定性评估的基本问题。这项提议旨在i)改进与核燃料完整性有关的测量和模型，包括开发用于测量空泡率和临界热流密度(CHF)现象的先进仪器，ii)开发下一代多物理建模和不确定性分析方法，以及iii)开发用于SMR事故评估和应急计划的新的风险知情工具。该项目的实验阶段将使用先进的CT系统和新的基于单光子计数的射线照相技术，收集与燃料和燃料通道完整性有关的重要现象的计算机断层扫描(CT)和射线图像。这项工作的建模阶段审查了数据同化、贝叶斯框架和机器学习方法的应用，以改进多物理预测中的不确定性知识。最后，该项目将通过基于蒙特卡洛方法为这些评估制定一个新的框架，来研究SMR风险知情表征所需的整套物理模型。该提案对核安全界内的公平、多样性和包容性(EDI)问题、与诺沃格博士领导的现有EDI倡议的联系以及对高素质人员的培训(HQP)给予了重要考虑。

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).