R&D and irradiation plans for new nuclear grade graphites for application to VHTR

Kentaro Takizawa, Kazuyuki Kakehashi, Toshiaki Fukuda, Tohru Kida, Kazuhiro Sawa, Junya Sumita, Yutai Katoh, Lance L. Snead

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Fine-grained isotropic graphite shows high strength making it a promising material for the graphite component of High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) and Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR). Service life of the graphite component is determined primarily by the residual stress after neutron irradiation in the reactor core. It is expected that development of new fine-grained isotropic nuclear grade graphite possessing higher strength will contribute toward added design margins and an extension of the service life of components, which likely improve the reactor economy very significantly. Tokai Carbon Co. LTD. has started the development of nuclear grade graphite having high strength for the graphite component of VHTR. As the start of evaluation to the application for VHTR, the evaluation based on Japanese draft standard for HTGR is advanced. Japanese draft standard demands as follows, (1)Guarantee a stable supply for long period, (2)Obtain the data for design, (3)Confirms stable features under high temperature and irradiation condition. The following conclusions were obtained. (1)To satisfy the requirement of stable supply, G347S and G458S grades was selected. These products showed excellent properties. (2)Obtaining the data is still on the way. However some obtained data showed excellent value. (3)It is planned to carry out the neutron irradiation tests using High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory up to the neutron fluence of 30 dpa, and the irradiation temperatures of 300-900°C. It is scheduled to end in 2014. The dimensional changes, elastic modulus, coefficient of thermal expansion, etc., will be studied.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCeramic Materials for Energy Applications - A Collection of Papers Presented at the 35th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, ICACC
PublisherAmerican Ceramic Society
Pages13-19
Number of pages7
Edition9
ISBN (Print)9781118059944
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
EventCeramic Materials for Energy Applications - 35th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, ICACC - Daytona Beach, FL, United States
Duration: Jan 23 2011Jan 28 2011

Publication series

NameCeramic Engineering and Science Proceedings
Number9
Volume32
ISSN (Print)0196-6219

Conference

ConferenceCeramic Materials for Energy Applications - 35th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, ICACC
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDaytona Beach, FL
Period01/23/1101/28/11

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