CIRCUITS CHEMISTRY
Main research areas:
- Corrosion of structural materials under normal and abnormal operating conditions in primary circuit of CANDU reactor;
- Water chemistry, transport and deposition of corrosion products in the primary and secondary circuits of a NPP;
- Corrosion of structural materials of components and equipments from the secondary circuit of the CANDU reactor;
- Decontamination of CANDU- NPP systems and equipment;
- Analysis and diagnosis of degraded components using advanced investigation techniques and modeling of corrosion processes to extend the operation life;
- Corrosion protection and in situ monitoring of corrosion phenomena applicable to a NPP;
- Alignment to the regulatory framework in the field of corrosion, materials and manufacturing technologies for systems / components/equipments in CANDU NPP.
The main research results:
- Development of accelerated chemical methods for analysis of localized corrosion in order to increase the assessment capacity of structures and components integrity from NPPs;
- Methods for antimony release from the primary circuit of a NPP by retention on Fe and Zr oxide substrates;
- Assessment of microbiological degradation in the case of welded joints of buried pipes from the service water system at Cernavoda NPP;
- Identification of alternative technical solutions suitable for the transfer of spent ionic resins from NPP storage pools;
- Determination of C14 release rate based on assessment of Zy-4 spent fuel corrosion rates, tested in geological storage environment;
- Identification of technical solutions for implementing lay-up methods (short, medium and long term) to maintain the integrity of classical systems during the refurbishment period at Cernavoda NPP;
- Development of technological engineering and design capabilities in the field of materials corrosion and manufacturing technologies to maintain and improve performances, reliability and maintenance;
- Analysis and diagnosis of degraded components from Cernavoda NPP circuits, identification of the failure causes; issuing remedial recommendations.
Contact: Dr. Manuela FULGER; e-mail: manuela.fulger@nuclear.ro
"Journal of Nuclear Research and Development"