Grant: NSERC/NRCan/AECL Generation IV Energy Technologies Program

As stated in the Canadian National Program on Generation IV Energy Technologies Research and Development Priorities for 2008-09, the identification of appropriate chemistry and materials for in-core and out-of-core components will be one of the major challenges for the development of the supercritical water reactor (SCWR). Based on available data, there is no single alloy that has currently received enough study to unequivocally ensure its performance in an SCWR. The primary focus of the Canadian effort toward the international development of the SCWR system will be R&D to develop a pressure tube reactor operating at an outlet temperature of up to 625oC. This research proposal addresses the requirement to identify and test new porous insulation materials, which are one of the key components in the design of high efficiency CANDU-SCWR fuel channel. The proposed research builds on recent new research findings and will explore potential new materials that have never been considered for this purpose before. It is also believed that these new materials could avoid problems that have been identified in existing materials when they are used in SCWR environments. The research will generate new knowledge/technology with a strong potential to strengthen Canada's nuclear industry. The research will be conducted in collaboration with AECL and NRCan. These two leading organizations in Generation IV research and development will contribute directly to the research work defined in the proposal and also provide guidance on the direction of research and coordination with other researchers in the field.