The fourth generation nuclear power technology (Gen IV) has the potential to provide large amounts of energy while leaving significantly less long-lived waste and minimizing the need for new uranium. The Swedish Energy Agency has now granted the largest sum to date, SEK 50 million, for the development of an entire Gen IV nuclear power system. The project, which is coordinated by Christian Ekberg at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers, will also ensure the regrowth of expertise in the nuclear technology science. From Chalmers Physics, Christophe Demaziere, Paolo Vinai and Mattias Thuvander are part of the project. ”One of the contributions from Physics is about the development of monitoring techniques to early detect anomalies in fast reactors. This will be done using neutron noise, i.e., the inherent fluctuations of the neutron density existing in the nuclear fuel assemblies. This technique has the advantage of not disrupting reactor operation and can thus be used online,” says Christophe Demazière. ”The other contribution from Physics concerns materials research. Fast reactors often have corrosive coolants, such as liquid lead or sodium, which pose high demands on the materials to be used. Materials are also affected by the fast neutrons creating damage on the atomic level. Both corrosion and irradiation damage will be studied using electron microscopy and atom probe tomography at Chalmers with cooperation from atomistic modelling at Uppsala University," Mattias Thuvander adds.
Shawn Connors
4mo
Sounds like absorbing work.
Explorer | Inventor | PhD PE | Author | Former Submarine Squadron Commodore
5moImre Pázsit sounds like you may have been involved? (Pun intended :-) )