Management of Ageing in Graphite Reactor Cores RSC [Hardcover]

Nuclear power currently contributes nearly a quarter of the electricity needs of the UK. Much of this is from nuclear reactor plants developed some fifty years ago. Consequently, in the next few decades, many of these reactors and components are coming to the end of their 'useful' life and strategies for the effective management of these decommissioned parts are paramount. Management of Ageing Processes in Graphite Reactor Cores discusses in detail both the scientific challenges and the issues involved in this subject. It begins with an introductory section on the fundamentals of reactor design and goes on to discuss graphite core behaviour under irradiation; graphite-component behaviour and its assessment; and whole core behaviour. The book concludes with a section on the lessons learned from decades of experience. Written by leading experts in the field, this high level book is ideal for both academia and industry, and would also be of relevance to policy makers and governments.Part A - Reactor Designs & Operation: The Management of Magnox Graphite Reactor Cores to Underwrite Continued Safe Operation; AGR Core Design, Operation and Safety Functions; An Overview of British Energy's Core Assessment Methodology; UK Regulatory Strategy for Management of Graphite; Ageing in Gas-Cooled, Graphite-Moderated Reactors; Part B - Advances in the Fundamental Knowledge of Graphite Behaviour under Irradiation: The Effects of Thermal Annealing on the Mechanical Properties of PGA Graphite; Development of a Model of Dimensional Change in AGR Graphites Irradiated in Inert Environments; Relating Measurements of Mechanical Properties of Nuclear Graphites to Reactor Conditions. A Review of the Effects of Temperature and Pressure; Flexural Strength of Graphite; Observations of Strain Localisation and Failure in Nuclear Graphite; Evaluation of the Brazilian Disc Test in Fracture Strength Measurements of Nuclear Graphite; Irradiation Damage in Graphite from First Principles; Development ol£Q