PERFECT: Predicition of irradiation damage effects in reactor components

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 03.0685

Key words (French)

Recherche; matériaux irradiés; énergie

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: 508840

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 6. Frame Research Programme - 5.2 Nuclear fission safety

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
EPF Lausanne
Centre de Recherches en Physique des Plasmas
Association Euratom-Conféderation Suisse

Abstract (English)

In nuclear power reactors, materials may undergo degradation due to severe irradiation conditions. So far, the material databases needed to allow for these degradations in the design and safe operation of installations have mainly relied on long- term irradiation programs in test reactors as well as on mechanical or corrosion testing in specialized hot cells.
This predominantly empirical approach can now be complemented and improved. Indeed, continuous progress in computer technology and physical understanding of radiation damage has made possible the development of multi-scale numerical tools capable of simulating the effects of irradiation on mechanical and corrosion properties of materials.
The 4-year Integrated Project PERFECT has mainly for objective to develop such tools. They will be used to solve issues related to Light Water Reactor pressure vessels and internal structures (PWR, BWR and WWR types). The Project has also for objectives i) to ensure the diffusion of these tools among the European nuclear industry, ii) to use them to perform a first European collective exercise of component analysis in which material behaviour assessment will be done by numerical simulation, iv) to apply the proposed simulation tools to complement previous or current international projects and v) to form young researchers to the mechanisms of degradation of materials.
PERFECT will be run by 11 European organizations involved in the nuclear field and 17 Universities. Representative of manufacturers, utilities, regulators, research organizations, will join the PERFECT Users-Group where they will receive the information and training required to get their own appraisal on limits and potentialities of the developed tools. This sharing of knowledge is a key point for the tools to be accepted and used on industrial applications. Furthermore, formal collaborations will be established with American, Japanese and Russian organizations involved in project similar to PERFECT.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 03.0685