Microstructure Study of NiCrAlY and FeCrAlY Exposed to Superheated Steam at 800 °C

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Sáez-Maderuelo ◽  
Michael McTaggart ◽  
Xiao Huang ◽  
César Maffiotte
Keyword(s):  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Superheated Steam ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Oxide Formation ◽  
Coating Materials ◽  
Metallic Sheen ◽  
Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor ◽  
Magnetite Formation

Supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR) was chosen as Generation IV reactor concept in Canada to utilize Canada's expertise and technical capabilities from past research and designs. The conceptual design of Canadian SCWR has a core outlet temperature of 650 °C at 25 MPa and a peak cladding temperature as high as 800 °C. Corrosion/oxidation resistance is an important factor in material selections and also coating considerations. Most of the reported supercritical water (SCW) test data have been obtained at temperatures up to 700 °C as no autoclave exists that can operate above 700 °C at supercritical pressures and temperatures. Superheated steam (SHS) is used as a surrogate fluid to SCW in this study to evaluate two coating materials, FeCrAlY and NiCrAl, at 800 °C. The results showed that the FeCrAlY became discolored rapidly while NiCrAl still maintained some metallic sheen after 600 h. The weight change results suggest that more oxide formation took place on FeCrAlY than NiCrAl. In particular, grain boundary oxide (Al2O3) formed on FeCrAlY surface upon exposure to steam after 300 h. Further exposure caused more intragranular Al2O3 to form, in addition to magnetite formation on the grain boundary regions. For NiCrAl samples, NiO formed after steam exposure for 300 h. Spinel and (Cr,Al)2O3 were also found after 300 h along with very limited amount of Al2O3. After 600 h, Al2O3 became well developed on NiCrAl and the coverage of spinel and Cr2O3 on the surface reduced.

Heat Transfer to Supercritical Water in Vertical Annular Channel and 3-Rod Bundle

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. G. Razumovskiy ◽  
Eu. N. Pis’mennyy ◽  
A. Eu. Koloskov ◽  
I. L. Pioro
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Flux ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Annular Channel ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Rod Bundle ◽  
Temperature Regimes ◽  
Outside Diameter

The results of heat transfer to supercritical water flowing upward in a vertical annular channel (1-rod channel) and tight 3-rod bundle consisting of the tubes of 5.2-mm outside diameter and 485-mm heated length are presented. The heat-transfer data were obtained at pressures of 22.5, 24.5, and 27.5 MPa, mass flux within the range from 800 to 3000 kg/m2·s, inlet temperature from 125 to 352°C, outlet temperature up to 372°C and heat flux up to 4.6 MW/m2 (heat flux rate up to 2.5 kJ/kg). Temperature regimes of the annular channel and 3-rod bundle were stable and easily reproducible within the whole range of the mass and heat fluxes, even when a deteriorated heat transfer took place. The data resulted from the study could be applicable for a reference estimation of heat transfer in future designs of fuel bundles.

Thermal Aspects of Using Uranium Mononitride Fuel in a SuperCritical Water-Cooled Reactor at Maximum Heat Flux Conditions

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Milner ◽  
Caleb Pascoe ◽  
Hemal Patel ◽  
Wargha Peiman ◽  
Graham Richards ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Maximum Heat ◽  
Light Water ◽  
Maximum Heat Flux ◽  
Centerline Temperature ◽  
Uranium Mononitride

Generation IV nuclear reactor technology is increasing in popularity worldwide. One of the six Generation-IV-reactor types are SuperCritical Water-cooled Reactors (SCWRs). The main objective of SCWRs is to increase substantially thermal efficiency of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and thus, to reduce electricity costs. This reactor type is developed from concepts of both Light Water Reactors (LWRs) and supercritical fossil-fired steam generators. The SCWR is similar to a LWR, but operates at a higher pressure and temperature. The coolant used in a SCWR is light water, which has supercritical pressures and temperatures during operation. Typical light water operating parameters for SCWRs are a pressure of 25 MPa, an inlet temperature of 280–350°C, and an outlet temperature up to 625°C. Currently, NPPs have thermal efficiency about of 30–35%, whereas SCW NPPs will operate with thermal efficiencies of 45–50%. Furthermore, since SCWRs have significantly higher water parameters than current water-cooled reactors, they are able to support co-generation of hydrogen. Studies conducted on fuel-channel options for SCWRs have shown that using uranium dioxide (UO2) as a fuel at supercritical-water conditions might be questionable. The industry accepted limit for the fuel centerline temperature is 1850°C and using UO2 would exceed this limit at certain conditions. Because of this problem, there have been other fuel options considered with a higher thermal conductivity. A generic 43-element bundle for an SCWR, using uranium mononitride (UN) as the fuel, is discussed in this paper. The material for the sheath is Inconel-600, because it has a high resistance to corrosion and can adhere to the maximum sheath-temperature design limit of 850°C. For the purpose of this paper, the bundle will be analyzed at its maximum heat flux. This will verify if the fuel centerline temperature does not exceed 1850°C and that the sheath temperature remains below the limit of 850°C.

Characterization of Alloy 214 After Exposure to Superheated Steam at 800 °C

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Tepylo ◽  
Rainier Garcia Sanchez ◽  
Xiao Huang
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Superheated Steam ◽  
Substrate Surface ◽  
Surface Oxidation ◽  
Metal Substrate ◽  
Cr Content

In this study, an Al-containing alloy 214 was evaluated in superheated steam at 800 °C for a duration of 600 h. The purpose of using superheated steam was to simulate the supercritical water (SCW) condition at higher temperatures where no commercial SCW rig is currently capable of reaching (800 °C and beyond). After exposure to superheated steam, the weight change and surface oxidation were analyzed. Alloy 214 experienced greater weight gain than IN 625 and Ni20Cr5Al, due to its low Cr content. Formation of both Cr2O3 and Al2O3 was observed on the surface after 300 and 600 h of exposure. However, as exposure progressed, more Ni and Mn-containing spinel started to form, signaling Cr and Al depletion on the metal substrate surface.

scholarly journals Investigation of Corrosion Resistance of Alloys with Potential Application in Supercritical Water-cooled Nuclear Reactors

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ákos Horváth ◽  
Attila R. Imre ◽  
György Jákli
Keyword(s):  
Corrosion Resistance ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fuel Cladding ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Reactor Types ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor ◽  
Nuclear Applications

The Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor (SCWR) is one of the Generation IV reactor types, which has improved safety and economics, compared to the present fleet of pressurized water reactors. For nuclear applications, most of the traditional materials used for power plants are not applicable, therefore new types of materials have to be developed. For this purpose corrosion tests were designed and performed in a supercritical pressure autoclave in order to get data for the design of an in-pile high temperature and high-pressure corrosion loop. Here, we are presenting some results, related to corrosion resistance of some potential structural and fuel cladding materials.

Coupled Three-Dimensional Neutronics and Thermal-Hydraulics Analysis for SCWR Core Typical Transients

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Lianjie ◽  
Lu Di ◽  
Zhao Wenbo
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Transient Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Thermal Hydraulics ◽  
Water Density ◽  
Fuel Temperature ◽  
Control Rod ◽  
Reactor Protection System ◽  
Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor

Transient performance of China supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR) with the rated electric power of 1000 MWel (CSR1000) core during some typical transients, such as control rod (CR) ejection and uncontrolled CR withdrawal, is analyzed and evaluated with the coupled three-dimensional neutronics and thermal-hydraulics SCWR transient analysis code. The 3D transient analysis shows that the maximum cladding surface temperature (MCST) retains lower than safety criteria 1260 °C during the process of CR ejection accident, and the MCST retains lower than safety criteria 850 °C during the process of uncontrolled CR withdrawal transient. The safety of CSR1000 core can be ensured during the typical transients under the salient fuel temperature and water density reactivity feedback and the essential reactor protection system.

Rate Theory for Dislocation Loops Evolution in AL-6XN Austenitic Stainless Steel under Proton Irradiation

2018 ◽  
Vol 913 ◽  
pp. 237-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Xia Yu ◽  
Li Ping Guo ◽  
Zheng Yu Shen ◽  
Yun Xiang Long ◽  
Zhong Cheng Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Austenitic Stainless Steel ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Proton Irradiation ◽  
Theory Model ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Rate Theory ◽  
Dislocation Loops ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor

The average size and density evolution of dislocation loops in AL-6XN austenitic stainless steel, a candidate fuel cladding material for supercritical water-cooled reactor, under proton irradiation were simulated through a rate theory model. The simulation results exhibit relatively good agreement with the experimental results at 563 K. The size and density of defect clusters are calculated under irradiation temperature between 550 K and 900 K and irradiation doses up to 15 dpa which satisfies the working condition in supercritical water-cooled reactor. The fast nucleation between self-interstitials happens at the initial stage of irradiation. The average size of dislocation loops increases while the average density of these loops reduces with the increasing temperature, and the average density approaches to a constant when irradiated at higher irradiation doses. The mechanism is discussed based on the variation of rate constants of defect reactions and the variation of the diffusion coefficients of interstitials and dislocation loops with dose and temperature.

Neutronic and Thermo-Hydraulic Analyses of Water-Cooled Blanket Based on Pressurized/Supercritical Water Conditions for CFETR

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Cheng ◽  
Yingwei Wu ◽  
G. H. Su ◽  
Suizheng Qiu ◽  
Wenxi Tian
Keyword(s):  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Safety Margin ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Tokamak Reactor ◽  
Water Conditions ◽  
Neutron Multiplier ◽  
Test Reactor

China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) is a test tokamak reactor being designed in China to bridge the gap between International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and future fusion power plant. As one of the candidates, a water-cooled solid breeder blanket based on pressurized water and supercritical water conditions were proposed. In the concept, multiplying layers separated by three breeding layers were designed and optimized for higher tritium breeding ratio (TBR) and uniform heat distribution. This blanket adopts the Li2TiO3 lithium ceramic pebbles as the breeder, while beryllium pebbles as the neutron multiplier. In this paper, the thermal and fluid dynamic analyses of the optimized blanket on both water conditions were performed by numerical simulation, to discuss thermo-hydraulic performance of the blanket using pressurized water/supercritical water as its coolant. At first, the neutronic analysis was performed and based on the typical outboard equatorial blanket. Then, thermal and fluid dynamic analysis of the 3D model was carried out by CFX with fluid–solid coupling approach. It was found that the blanket can be effectively cooled on both water conditions, certified the feasibility of the blanket design with pressurized/supercritical water conditions. It indicated that supercritical water blanket had smaller safety margin than pressurized water blanket, but supercritical water blanket would lead to higher outlet temperature, thermal conductivity, and heat exchange efficiency also. In addition, the beryllium fraction was considered as one of the dominant factor, which leading a higher TBR in our simulations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document