scholarly journals Effects of gamma radiation induced forced formation of free radicals on the strength of concrete for use in nuclear power plants

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-319
Author(s):  
Steven Burnham ◽  
Quentin Faure ◽  
Michelle Tamplin ◽  
Long Huang ◽  
Tatjana Jevremovic
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Free Radicals ◽  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Increased Strength

In this paper, we present a summary of preliminary experiments and numerical assessments of the effects of gamma radiation induced formation of free radicals in the curing stage of concrete on its characteristics. Substantial literature reports on the damaging effects of long-term and high-dose gamma and neutron exposure on concrete. However, we show that short-term exposure of concrete to gamma radiation can be beneficial in increasing its compressive strength. The effects of exposing to 630 MBq 137Cs the 56 cubes each made of 125 cm3 concrete during the first seven days of curing are compared to another 56 cubes cured by the conventional process. The average compressive strength of the gamma cured cubes is around 8.500 psi, while conventionally cured cubes show the lower average strength of around 6.700 psi. The microstructure of the gamma and conventionally cured concrete cubes is analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The radiolysis within the microstructure of the concrete cubes is assessed with computational modeling based on Geant4. The production of free radicals from radiolysis is shown to increase with increasing source strength and increasing the time of exposure to gamma radiation. This research shows in general that curing concrete in gamma radiation field provides observable trends toward its increased strength.

scholarly journals Simulation of MASPn Experiments in MISTRA Test Facility with COCOSYS Code

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mantas Povilaitis ◽  
Egidijus Urbonavičius
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Characteristic Length ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Work Package ◽  
Acceptable Agreement

An issue of the stratified atmospheres in the containments of nuclear power plants is still unresolved; different experiments are performed in the test facilities like TOSQAN and MISTRA. MASPn experiments belong to the spray benchmark, initiated in the containment atmosphere mixing work package of the SARNET network. The benchmark consisted of MASP0, MASP1 and MASP2 experiments. Only the measured depressurisation rates during MASPn were available for the comparison with calculations. When the analysis was performed, the boundary conditions were not clearly defined therefore most of the attention was concentrated on MASP0 simulation in order to develop the nodalisation scheme and define the initial and boundary conditions. After achieving acceptable agreement with measured depressurisation rate, simulations of MASP1 and MASP2 experiments were performed to check the influence of sprays. The paper presents developed nodalisation scheme of MISTRA for the COCOSYS code and the results of analyses. In the performed analyses, several parameters were considered: initial conditions, loss coefficient of the junctions, initial gradients of temperature and steam volume fraction, and characteristic length of structures. Parametric analysis shows that in the simulation the heat losses through the external walls behind the lower condenser installed in the MISTRA facility determine the long-term depressurisation rate.

scholarly journals Therapy with high‑dose long‑term antioxidant free radicals for severe paraquat poisoning: A pilot study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunlin Hu ◽  
Chuanhu Qiao ◽  
Zhengli Yuan ◽  
Min� Li ◽  
Jiangfeng Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Radicals ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Paraquat Poisoning

scholarly journals Stochastic Optimization for Long Term Capital Structures, Systems, and Components Refurbishment and Replacement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Congjian Wang ◽  
Diego Mandelli ◽  
Shawn St Germain ◽  
Curtis Smith ◽  
David Morton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stochastic Optimization ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Capital Investments ◽  
Priority List ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Plant Operations ◽  
Economic Constraints ◽  
Returns On Investment

Abstract As commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs) pursue extended plant operations in the form of Second License Renewals (SLRs), opportunities exist for these plants to provide capital investments to ensure long-term, safe, and economic performance. Several utilities have already announced their intention to pursue extended operations for one or more of their NPPs via SLR2. The goal of this research is to develop a risk-informed approach to evaluate and prioritize plant capital investments made in preparation for, and during the period of, extended plant operations to support decisions in NPP operations. In order to prioritize project selection via a risk-informed approach we developed a single decision-making tool that integrates safety/reliability, cost, and stochastic optimization models to provide users with data analysis capabilities to more cost effectively manage plant assets. Both stochastic analysis methods — such as Monte Carlo-based sampling strategies — and multi-stage stochastic optimization strategies are employed to provide priority lists to decision-makers in support of risk-informed decisions. We applied the proposed method to a trial application of projected replacement/refurbishment expenditures for plant capital assets (i.e., structures, systems, and components [SSCs]). The objective is to optimize the SSC replacement/refurbishment schedule in terms of economic constraints, data uncertainties, and SSC reliability data, as well to generate a priority list for maximizing returns on investment.

Experimental Study of Selected Properties of Heavyweight Concrete Based on Analysis of Chemical Composition and Radioactive Elements of its Components

2021 ◽  
Vol 321 ◽  
pp. 113-118
Author(s):  
Janette Dragomirová ◽  
Martin T. Palou ◽  
Katalin Gméling ◽  
Veronika Szilágyi ◽  
Ildikó Harsányi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Concrete Strength ◽  
Prompt Gamma ◽  
Longitudinal Deformation ◽  
Heavyweight Concrete ◽  
Furnace Slag ◽  
Selection Of

Heavyweight concrete is mostly used for its shielding properties in the nuclear power plants. These properties can already be influenced by the selection of the input materials. In the present study, concrete samples comprised of four-component binders based on CEM I 42.5 R, blast furnace slag, metakaolin and limestone and a mixture of barite and magnetite aggregate, were investigated. Based on Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence, Neutron Activation, and Prompt-Gamma Activation analyses, three concrete designs were prepared and tested. Mechanical, physical (namely cubic compressive strength, bulk density, longitudinal deformation, and dynamic modulus of elasticity) and thermal properties (thermal conductivity coefficient, specific heat capacity, and thermal diffusivity), which should be influenced by the long-term exposure to irradiation were investigated. Presented results confirmed that the prepared samples are heavyweight concrete with bulk density higher than 3400 kg.m-3 with a low level of longitudinal deformation (between 0.265 ‰ and 0.352 ‰). All the prepared samples belong to the C 35/45 concrete strength class.

Guided Waves as an Online Monitoring Technology for Long-Term Operation in Nuclear Power Plants: Experimental Results on a Steam Discharge Pipe

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Cappelli ◽  
Francesco Cordella ◽  
Francesco Bertoncini ◽  
Marco Raugi
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Term Operation

Guided wave (GW) testing is regularly used for finding defect locations through long-range screening using low-frequency waves (from 5 to 250 kHz). By using magnetostrictive sensors, some issues, which usually limit the application to nuclear power plants (NPPs), can be fixed. The authors have already shown the basic theoretical background and simulation results concerning a real steel pipe, used for steam discharge, with a complex structure. On the basis of such theoretical framework, a new campaign has been designed and developed on the same pipe, and the obtained experimental results are now here presented as a useful benchmark for the application of GWs as nondestructive techniques. Experimental measures using a symmetrical probe and a local probe in different configurations (pulse-echo and pitch-catch) indicate that GW testing with magnetostrictive sensors can be reliably applied to long-term monitoring of NPPs components.

Thermoelastoplastic Stress Analysis of a Thick-Walled Tube of Nonlinear Strain Hardening

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jahanian
Keyword(s):  
Strain Hardening ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Rapid Heating ◽  
Numerical Procedure ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Nonlinear Strain ◽  
Elastic Approximation

In pressure vessel technology or nuclear power plants, some of the mechanical components are often subjected to rapid heating. If the temperature gradient during such process is high enough, thermoelastoplastic stresses may be developed in the components. These plastic deformations are permanent and may result in the incremental deformation of the structure in the long term. Accordingly, determination of thermoelastoplastic stresses during this process is an important factor in design. In this paper, a thick-walled cylinder of nonlinear strain hardening is considered for the thermoelastoplastic analysis. The properties of the material are assumed to be temperature dependent. The cylinder is subject to rapid heating of the inside surface while the outside surface is kept at the room temperature. A quasi-static and uncoupled thermoelastoplastic analysis based on incremental theory of plasticity is developed and a numerical procedure for successive elastic approximation is presented. The thermoelastoplastic stresses developed during this process are also presented. The effect of strain hardening and temperature dependency of material on the results are investigated.

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