Romania’s contribution to the development of the knowledge society in the field of nuclear energy research

Abstract

" Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti (INR) is the main responsible R&D (Research and Development) organization for the development of national technical support of nuclear power in Romania. The INR activity is oriented with priority towards applied and engineering research within R&D programs, connected to present and future specific issues of NPP, especially those using CANDU 6 type reactors. Over the last years, INR has been working on R&D programs to support a comprehensive and integrated Plant LIfe Management (PLIM) program for Cernavoda Unit 1 that will extend the operational life of the plant. The objectives of the experimental programs consist in the identification of the main types of specific degradations of the fuel channel structural materials correlated with the primary water chemistry parameters as follows: • evaluation of the fuel channel material (Zr – 2.5%Nb) corrosion behavior in normal and abnormal operation conditions. Characterization of structural materials before and after testing; • assessment of restrictions on the service life of components caused by the progression of the degradation. The paper presents the principal results of the research activities on INR Nuclear Materials and Corrosion Department in the field of fuel channel material corrosion behavior with the aim of PLIM and LTO. "