Materials Science Analysis of RCCA Structural Materials and Calculations for Lifetime Extension

Abstract

The paper considers the possibility of lifetime extending of the rod control cluster assemblies in operation by determining their residual lifetime using an approach that takes into account the actual position of the rod control cluster assembly in the core. Excessive conservatism was introduced by assuming that the immersion of the 10th working group in the core during all fuel campaigns is 70 %, while the actual position is 85-90 %. Taking into account the actual position of the rod control cluster assemblies indicates much less irradiation of the lower, most loaded part of control rod cladding and much less burnup of the 10B compared to 70 % immersion of the rod control cluster assemblies, since they are in the area of lower neutron flux density. The results of a comprehensive analysis of available studies and test results to determine the phenomena that can potentially approach the achievement of the boundary state of the structural components or limit the lifetime of control rods and rod control cluster assemblies in general are presented. Such phenomena include general corrosion of structural materials (42CrNiMo, Cr18Ni10Ti) (decrease in wall thickness, increased transfer of radioactive corrosion products the coolant); radiation resistance (degradation of mechanical characteristics) of control rod cladding materials (42CrNiMo) and other structural components of the rod control cluster assemblies (42CrNiMo, CrKh18Ni10Ti); radiation resistance of neutron-absorbing materials (B4C, Dy2O3∙TiO2); compatibility of absorbing materials with the control rod cladding. Based on the results of post-irradiation examinations of control rods tested in research reactors as dummy rods or rod control cluster assembly rods operated in the VVER-1000 core, the following boundary values were established that can be used as criteria for maintaining the integrity of the control rod cladding: maximum fast neutron fluence in the lower, most loaded part of the control rod cladding (in the weld area of the lower end plug and the cladding) should not exceed 34×1021 n/cm2; maximum burnup of the 10B isotope should not exceed 45 %. If these two criteria are met, the possibility of other potentially damaging phenomena is too low. According to the calculations that use the schedule of changes in the position of the rod control cluster assemblies of the control group and the power of one of the power units during one fuel cycle, one can preliminary conclude that the proposed approach will extend the lifetime of almost all rod control cluster assemblies from 25500 to 38000 hours in the automatic control group and from 75600 to 113500 hours in the shutdown group. The residual lifetime should be assessed for a particular power unit and each rod control cluster assembly separately, since each rod control cluster assembly has its own operating history.