Imagine if you could know exactly when a critical part of a giant machine would break before it actually happens. This work studies how metal parts in nuclear reactors age and wear down over decades. By using data from old plants, they are building a digital warning system to tell operators when it is safe to keep running and when a part needs replacing.
Nuclear plants are reaching the end of their design life, but operators want to keep them running. There is a lack of precise tools to predict when materials in the primary circuit will fail due to aging.
A simulation tool for predicting unacceptable material conditions and a set of validated degradation descriptions for steam generator tubes and reactor internals.
If you are a plant operator dealing with reactors reaching their original design limit — this project developed a simulation tool that predicts material failure. This allows you to extend operation safely without compromising security.
If you are an inspection company dealing with aging infrastructure — this project developed improved non-destructive testing methodologies. This helps you provide more accurate health reports for steam generator tubes and primary pipes.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with material degradation in high-heat environments — this project developed a description of thermal aging and swelling. This provides a technical basis for designing more reliable construction materials.
Based on available project data, no specific pricing or commercial cost for the tool is mentioned; the project was supported by a EUR 3,276,263 EU contribution.
The project is designed for industrial relevance, specifically focusing on VVER reactors, and uses real data from decommissioned plants to ensure the results are applicable to actual power plant operations.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not listed, but the project includes a Dissemination and Exploitation Plan to harmonize safety criteria and methodologies.
The project runs from 2022-06-01 to 2026-05-31, with a commitment to rapid implementation of results.
The tool integrates simulation with experimental techniques and non-destructive inspection to act as an early warning system for system integrity.
The consortium is well-balanced for industrial translation, featuring a 33% industry ratio with 3 industrial partners and 1 SME. The group spans 5 countries (CZ, FI, HU, SK, UA), providing a strong regional footprint in areas where VVER reactors are most common, which ensures the tool is tested against diverse operational data.
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