Importance of research infrastructure

The large RI SUSEN is important in several areas

1) Research for the safety of current nuclear reactors

The current generation of nuclear power plants is in the range of 15-30 years of operation and approaches the originally planned lifetime. RI SUSEN contributes to the understanding and quantification of phenomena that can affect the life of systems and components. This is mainly the influence of radiation on the mechanical and corrosive mechanical properties of materials used in nuclear installations, especially pressure vessels, internal fittings, pipelines and others. RI SUSEN will, in combination with the LVR-15 and LR-0 research reactor, model and quantify the combined effects of radiation and operational stress. An important aspect is the identification of damage by non-destructive analysis methods. RI SUSEN will contribute directly to the results of their research and development to increase the safety and reliability of nuclear facilities, second and third generation.

In this context, RI SUSEN is important for the operators of nuclear power plants, both Czech and foreign. Indirectly, it will affect the competitiveness of the supply chain of these operators, both in the industrial and academic sectors.

2) Research for the benefit of fossil power operators, including new ecological resources

RI SUSEN contributes both to the efficiency of the operation of the existing thermal power plants and to the new generation of blocks using supercritical steam parameters. This is important for power plant operators in the Czech Republic and abroad.

3) Research in favor of fusion research, ITER and DEMO

RI SUSEN contributes to deepen the knowledge of research in favor of nuclear fusion of electricity generated. RI SUSEN will contribute, for example, to research the materials of the first wall of the ITER research reactor, which is built in Cadarache, France. In addition, RI SUSEN will carry out research into the planned DEMO fusion power plant in three program areas: blanket development, diverter development, nuclear safety, and radioactive waste management and material research. The English word “blanket” refers to a blanket or cover. It is the inner layer of the reactor chamber, which has a number of important functions:

– forms the first wall of the reactor

– provides cooling of the first wall

– converts the kinetic energy of fusion neutrons to heat

– removes heat from the reactor for further use

– protects magnets and reactor structure against heat and neutron radiation

– will generate tritium

At the same time:

– must withstand high operating temperatures

– it must withstand a high neutron flux

– not significantly pollute plasma

– it must not significantly disturb the magnetic field forming the plasma

In the R&D fusion reactor diverter research and development team, Research Center Řež s.r.o. (hereinafter referred to “CV Rez”) on RI SUSEN will provide research and qualification of European concepts of water cooled diverter. The diverter is the most loaded nuclear fusion reactor for plasma cleaning.

In the Nuclear Safety Working Group, CV Řež will participate in safety analyzes for the operation of the fusion power plant and the design of radioactive waste processing.

By participating in the fusion research and building RI SUSEN in cooperation with Czech companies, RI SUSEN enables Czech industrial companies to prepare for future calls related to the introduction of fusion power plants into the common practice.

4) Research in favor of IV. Generation of nuclear fission reactors

VI SUSEN poskytuje možnost zapojení do výzkumu ve prospěch výzkumu a vývoje nové generace ekologičtějších a účinnějších štěpných jaderných reaktorů. V rámci VI SUSEN jsou budovány smyčky pro výzkum ve prospěch nových technologických konceptů obsažených v SET – planu a jeho ESNII Roadmap, a to ve prospěch technologie plynem chlazeného reaktoru – ALLEGRO, ve prospěch olovem chlazeného reaktoru – ALFRED, ve prospěch reaktoru chlazeného roztavenými solemi (MSR) a také vysokoteplotních reaktorů (VHTR) nebo reaktorů chlazených vodou se superkritickými parametry (SCWR).

RI SUSEN provides the opportunity to engage in research for the benefit of research and development of a new generation for more environmentally friendly and efficient fissionable nuclear reactors. Within RI SUSEN research loops are being developed for the benefit of the new technology concepts included in the SET-Plan and its ESNII Roadmap, in favor of the ALLEGRO gas-cooled reactor technology, in favor of the lead-cooled reactor – ALFRED, in favor of the molten-solt reactor (MSR), as well as high-temperature reactors (VHTRs) or water-cooled reactors with supercritical parameters (SCWR).

The importance of these technologies can only be fully appreciated after they have been put on the market, that is after 2025. All technologies have the task of increasing the ecology for the production of electric or thermal energy by means of nuclear fission and increasing the efficiency of this production. The importance of this part RI is that Czech universities, research organizations and also industrial companies are part of the community that is moving forward and developing new solutions important for the Czech Republic’s energy security.

5) Research of Hydrogen Production by High Temperature Electrolysis

RI SUSEN will contribute to the research and development of hydrogen technologies in this area, in particular for the storage of electricity or the research and development of fuel cells. Fuel cells are one of the possible drives of a new generation of motor vehicles and ships using non-emission propulsion.