Utilities
Do you have plans that involve extending the life of existing nuclear plants? Is your long-term operations project involved in questions about the future condition of your nuclear facility? Do you want to invest in potential system improvement by adopting new materials?
NRG can remove all the uncertainty surrounding the condition of current materials and qualification and testing of new materials. Whether it’s materials for components, cladding or higher nuclear fuel burnup: NRG allows you to take a look into your future, shedding light on the future performance of the parts in your nuclear plant’s primary system.
You want to know more about the condition of existing plant parts. Or perhaps you are looking for references for the application of new, improved materials and fuels.
You want answers to questions about the residual life of components, how new materials interact with their environment, how they behave under high neutron loads. How long will the material last? Does it meet your criteria, and will it continue to do so in the future?
What you need are data that supports safety and reliability, while improving performance.
NRG has the facilities and the expertise you need. You can have NRG conduct representative tests without disrupting operation. We can also irradiate materials with a higher neutron load than you can achieve in your own reactor, giving you an insight into their future behaviour within reasonable timescales.
Our High Flux Reactor generates levels of neutron radiation up to ten times higher than commercial reactors. Your irradiated samples are then transferred to our hot cells and laboratories for post-irradiation analysis. Our experts analyse the results and report exclusively to their client. Our independent studies allow you to take well-considered decisions, and to demonstrate that materials have the right properties to ensure the safe continued operation of your nuclear plant into the future.
Background
NRG helps address commercial and safety issues associated with long-term operations.
NRG is studying the future behaviour of graphite in British reactors. Irradiation using a high flux allows us to look ten years ahead, reassuring both the operator and the authorities of the safety and commercial feasibility of operations in the reactor core.
NRG is conducting irradiation research on materials and improved fuels for nuclear power plants in continental Europe.
Nuclear power plants are a vital part of our future energy supply. They are safe, highly profitable and climate neutral, and can help bridge the gap to a sustainable energy system. It is therefore certainly worth exploring whether existing nuclear plants can be kept operational for longer.
Further information from:
Sander de Groot
Phone: +31 (0) 224 56 4338
Email: s.degroot@nrg.eu