利用神经网络方法研究合金元素对反应堆压力容器钢辐照脆化的影响

反应堆压力容器（RPV）作为压水堆中不可更换的关键部件之一,其安全和稳定是决定反应堆安全经济运行的重要因素。RPV钢的辐照脆化问题是制约RPV在堆内安全服役的关键。RPV钢的辐照脆化与其合金成分关系密切。本文利用神经网络方法研究了RPV钢中关键合金成分（Cu、Mn、Ni、Si、P）与辐照脆化之间的关系。研究结果表明,基于神经网络方法得到合金成分与辐照脆化的关系与传统认知基本一致,辐照脆化对Cu含量最敏感,Cu-Ni对辐照脆化存在协同作用,低Cu合金中Mn-Ni、Ni-Si对脆化存在协同作用。     

反应堆压力容器辐照监督无损评估技术研究

反应堆压力容器（RPV）的辐照脆化问题是核安全的重中之重,影响到核电厂的安全性、经济性与公众信心。介绍了传统RPV辐照监督方案,讨论了现行技术的局限性,梳理了RPV辐照监督无损评估技术国外研究进展与存在问题,在实验与理论研究的基础上创新性地提出了中子辐照条件下RPV钢力学性能预测统一模型,并形成了基于电磁性能的RPV辐照监督无损评估技术,进一步完善后具有较好的工程应用前景。同时指出了开展RPV钢电磁性能实验研究,既有助于从一个全新的角度理解与再认识国产RPV钢长寿期服役时的辐照脆化行为,又有利于揭示RPV钢辐照脆化机理,丰富辐照脆化的基础理论。      

Effect of the Cu-rich precipitates on thermal conductivity of RPV model steel

Cu-rich precipitates are the important influence factors for the irradiation embrittlement of the reactor pressure vessel model steels. The microstructure of the Cu-rich precipitates could be revealed by mechanical and magnetic properties. In this article, the effect of the Cu-rich precipitates on thermal conductivity was studied. The reactor pressure vessel (RPV) model steels were aged for different time at 500°C. The results show that the thermal conductivity of RPV model steel is first decreased and then increased during the experiment, with a minimum value at 48.33 ± 0.21 W·m^?1·K^?1 after being aged for 200 h. The changing thermal conductivity is decided by the synergistic effect of the following three factors: (1) the crystal structure transformation of Cu-rich precipitates, (2) the orientation relationship between the matrix and Cu-rich precipitates, (3) the content of Cu atoms in the matrix.     

FeCu模型合金中Cu析出物导致硬化的位错动力学研究

压水反应堆压力容器（RPV）钢服役过程经高能中子辐照产生的溶质-缺陷团簇,导致辐照硬化和脆化,是影响其服役寿命的关键因素。利用位错动力学方法结合分子动力学和分子静力学计算获得的缺陷钉扎力,研究了FeCu模型合金中Cu析出物导致硬化的机理,分析了钉扎力、脱钉临界角等因素对计算结果的影响,并对计算结果的置信度进行了分析。结果表明：半径小于1 nm析出物的脱钉判据主要为力判据,需精确计算缺陷对位错的钉扎力;半径大于1 nm析出物的脱钉判据主要为临界角判据,对于Cu析出物,其临界角约为130°。本研究结果对于深入研究RPV钢辐照硬化机理以及预测辐照脆化趋势具有重要意义。     

Reactor pressure vessel design of the high temperature engineering test reactor

The reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of the HTTR is 5.5 m (inside diameter), 13.2 m (inside height), and 122 mm (shell thickness). The RPV contains core components, reactor internals, reactivity control system, etc.2 1/4Cr–1Mo steel is chosen as the material for RPV. The temperature reaches about 400 °C at normal operation. The fluence of the RPV is estimated to be less than 1 × 10¹⁷ n/cm² (E > 1 MeV) and so irradiation embrittlement is negligible, but temper embrittlement is not negligible. For the purpose of reducing embrittlement, content of some elements must be limited in the 2 1/4Cr–1Mo steel for the RPV; embrittlement parameters, J-factor and are used.In this paper, design and structure of the RPV are reviewed first. Fabrication procedure of the RPV and its special feature are described. Material data on the 2 1/4Cr–1Mo steel manufactured for the RPV, especially the embrittlement parameters, J-factor and , and nil-ductility transition temperatures, T_NDT, by drop weight tests, are shown. In-service inspection and results of R&Ds are also described.     

国产反应堆压力容器的辐照脆化行为及预测

反应堆压力容器（RPV）是保障核电站运行安全性、经济性的核心构件。对RPV的完整性评估而言辐照脆化是必须面对的问题。我国已开发了第三代设计寿命为60 a的核电站。当达到寿期末时,辐照脆化的行为是未知的,这给国产RPV的辐照脆化预测带来了困难。为研究高注量下的辐照脆化行为,对A508-3钢的材料力学性能试样进行辐照考验,辐照温度为(288±8) ℃,中子注量水平达到反应堆压力容器60 a寿期末的辐照水平1×10²⁰ cm^-2;开展拉伸、冲击和断裂韧性试验,分析辐照脆化行为,在EONY模型基础上,提出针对国产RPV钢的改进的辐照脆化模型。模型的有效性被试验数据证实,其可准确预测国内A508-3材料的辐照脆化趋势。     

反应堆压力容器老化敏感性分析方法

结合近期开展的大亚湾反应堆压力容器老化分析及大纲编写工作,归纳总结了反应堆压力容器老化敏感性分析方法,提出了较为明确的表单化的老化分析流程,可以为相关的老化分析与评价活动提供借鉴.     

反应堆压力容器钢的辐照脆化预测模型研究

对反应堆压力容器（RPV）钢的辐照脆化进行预测是保证核电站长寿期安全运行的重要方法。通过深入分析国外已有RPV钢的辐照脆化预测模型,揭示了已有参数化预测模型的不足,在此基础上建立了新的预测模型PMIE-2012。利用辐照监督数据对PMIE-2012的可靠性进行评价,结果表明,PMIE-2012对RPV钢的辐照脆化预测具有较高的准确性和可靠性。     

Comparison of microstructural features of radiation embrittlement of VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessel steels

Comparative microstructural studies of both surveillance specimens and reactor pressure vessel (RPV) materials of VVER-440 and VVER-1000 light water reactor systems have been carried out, following irradiation to different fast neutron fluences and of the heat treatment for extended periods at the operating temperatures. It is shown that there are several microstructural features in the radiation embrittlement of VVER-1000 steels compared to VVER-440 RPV steels that can cause changes in the contributions of different radiation embrittlement mechanisms for VVER-1000 steel.     

反应堆压力容器辐照脆化状态评估

基于大量相似辐照脆化试验测试数据和实际辐照监督测试数据,采用统计分析的方法,选出适合于某核电厂反应堆压力容器（RPV）的辐照脆化评估公式。以该核电厂已经完成的辐照监督管测试数据为输入,对RPV当前的辐照脆化状态进行了评估,并推算、分析了RPV在寿期末的结构完整性;基于辐照脆化计算结果,绘制了各运行阶段RPV的压力-温度限值曲线（P-T曲线）,并给出运行建议。      

堆内捕集器对压力容器中子辐照影响分析

严重事故下为实现堆内熔融物滞留,可采用堆内捕集器(IVCC)的策略。捕集器属压力容器的一部分,属不可更换设备,需长期在堆内受中子辐照。本文通过对典型压水堆压力容器模型和带IVCC的压力容器模型的比较,发现IVCC不会改变压力容器内快中子通量,不会对压力容器的辐照造成影响。且IVCC使得压力容器的热中子通量明显减小,降低了压力容器的整体辐照水平。这说明IVCC对压力容器的辐照性能不会产生不利影响,反而有助于防止压力容器的老化。     

Study on mo steel for high temperature gas-cooled reactor material characterization of forged low Si mo steel

The Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) has carried out a series of research and development work related to the high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) and, accordingly the high temperature engineering test reactor (HTTR) will be constructed in the near future. As the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) material, Mo steel will be used. Material characterization tests have been carried out to evaluate the applicability of the Mo steel for the RPV and to prepare for the licensing. The present paper summarizes the fracture toughness behavior including K_Id and K_Ia, irradiation embrittlement susceptibility and degradation of steel due to the long term aging at high temperature of the forged low Mo steel. These tests reveal good fracture toughness which well meets the requirements of the ASME Code, low neutron irradiation embrittlement susceptibility, little embrittlement by long term aging and so on. The present test results demonstrate good applicability of forged low Mo steel to the RPV of HTGR.     

Beremin模型预测尺寸效应对A508-3钢断裂韧性的影响

断裂韧性是用于表征反应堆压力容器（RPV）钢脆性状态的重要指标。在开展相关研究时,由于辐照空间小等原因,一般采用小尺寸紧凑拉伸（CT）试样。为掌握CT试样尺寸变化对国产RPV钢断裂韧性测试结果的影响,对国产A508-3钢的不同尺寸CT试样进行了测试分析,采用Beremin模型方法研究了尺寸效应对断裂韧性数据的影响,并建立了不同尺寸CT试样的断裂韧性数据归一化模型（TSM）。结果表明,同一温度下实验测得的断裂韧性值随试样尺寸的减小逐渐增大,不同样品通过标准方法得到的归一化数据存在偏差,本文建立的TSM可有效减小换算数据偏差。     

Irradiation temperature, flux and spectrum effects

Although great progress has been made in understanding the irradiation behaviour of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels, many aspects are still not fully understood. A large amount of data has been generated for understanding the effects of different irradiation conditions on material properties. The data needed for the long term operation of RPVs is almost always created by accelerated irradiations in test reactors, and due to insufficient knowledge on the damage interaction between the material and the high energy neutrons the potential bias of the conclusions on material properties in non-accelerated irradiation conditions can not be excluded. Important parameters for the extrapolation of results from accelerated irradiations to typical power irradiation conditions are the irradiation temperature, the neutron flux and the neutron spectrum. In particular, the effect of neutron flux on embrittlement behaviour is considered a complex phenomenon, and it seems to be dependent on the alloy composition, the neutron fluence range and the irradiation temperature. This paper will present the current knowledge on temperature, flux and spectrum effects, based on a recent literature survey and other relevant publications on the subject. It will explore the implications these effects may have for the safety evaluation of aged RPVs, especially for those exposed to long irradiation periods.     

Synthesis of atom probe experiments on irradiation-induced solute segregation in French ferritic pressure vessel steels

Microstructural changes due to neutron irradiation cause an evolution of the mechanical properties of reactor pressure vessels (RPV) steels. This paper aims at identifying and characterising the microstructural changes which have been found to be responsible in part for the observed embrittlement. This intensive work relies principally on an atom probe (AP) study of a low Cu-level French RPV steel (Chooz A). This material has been irradiated in in-service conditions for 0–16 years in the frame of the surveillance program. Under this aging condition, solute clustering occurs (Cu, Ni, Mn, Si, P, …). In order to identify the role of copper, experiments were also carried out on Fe–Cu model alloys submitted to different types of irradiations (neutron, electron, ion). Cu-cluster nucleation appears to be directly related to the presence of displacement cascades during neutron (ion) irradiation. The operating basic physical process is not clearly identified yet. A recovery of the mechanical properties of the irradiated material can be achieved by annealing treatments (20 h at 450°C in the case of the RPV steel under study, following microhardness measurements). It has been shown that the corresponding microstructural evolution was a rapid dissolution of the high number density of irradiation-induced solute clusters and the precipitation of a very low number density of Cu-rich particles.     

低铜合金反应堆压力容器钢辐照脆化预测评估模型

反应堆压力容器（RPV）材料辐照脆化预测评估对保证核反应堆安全运行、预防重大灾难性事故的发生具有重要意义。通过深入了解RPV材料辐照损伤机理和分析国外较为成熟的RPV辐照脆化预测模型,揭示了国外有关压力容器辐照脆化预测模型对低铜RPV辐照脆化预测的不足及其原因。在此基础上,发展和建立了适用于低铜RPV辐照脆化趋势的预测模型CIAE-2009。利用辐照性能数据对CIAE-2009模型进行了验证。结果表明,CIAE-2009对低铜含量RPV材料辐照脆化趋势预测具有较高的准确性和可靠性。     

Experience of the integrity assessment of the highly embrittled reactor pressure vessel for the life extension

The reactor pressure vessel (RPV) is the key component of pressurized water reactor. It has to comply with various rules and regulatory guides to ensure sufficient safety and operating margins during the plant lifetime. Thus, it is crucial to assure the integrity of RPV for an effective plant lifetime management program. In this paper, the status and the experiences of various integrity issues of the highly embrittled RPV are introduced. A circumferential weld in the beltline region of the Kori Unit 1 RPV was projected to be unable to satisfy the minimum upper-shelf energy requirement and the reference temperature-pressurized thermal shock requirement before the end of 40-year design lifetime. The detailed integrity assessments had been performed to resolve both issues and the results summarized. In addition several actions have been taken as aging management programs to assure the integrity of Kori Unit 1 RPV during the extended operation. Details of the activities such as, redefining initial reference temperature-nil ductility transition temperature, installing ex-vessel dosimetry, and withdrawal and testing of additional surveillance capsule are explained. Finally, the applicability of these and other activities including thermal annealing to mitigate the effects of the irradiation embrittlement are evaluated.     

Nuclear material investigations by advanced analytical techniques

Advanced analytical techniques have been used to characterize nuclear materials at the Paul Scherrer Institute during the last decade. The analysed materials ranged from reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels, Zircaloy claddings to fuel samples. The processes studied included copper cluster build up in RPV steels, corrosion, mechanical and irradiation damage behaviour of PWR and BWR cladding materials as well as fuel defect development. The used advanced techniques included muon spin resonance spectroscopy for zirconium alloy defect characterization while fuel element materials were analysed by techniques derived from neutron and X-ray scattering and absorption spectroscopy.     

Fracture mechanics concepts for evaluation of irradiated reactor pressure vessel material behavior

Within the German research program Forschungsvorhaben Komponentensicherheit (FKS), irradiation experiments were performed with ferritic reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels and welds. The materials cover a wide range of chemical composition and initial toughness to achieve different susceptibility to neutron irradiation. Different neutron flux was applied and the neutron exposure extended up to 8×10¹⁹ cm⁻². The change in material properties was determined by means of tensile, Charpy impact, drop-weight and fracture mechanics tests, including crack arrest. The results have provided more insight into the acting embrittlement mechanisms and shown that the fracture mechanics concept of the Code provides in general an upper bound for the material which can be applied in the safety analysis of the RPV.