SAFE STORAGE OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL
Juliana Duarte Assistant Professor
Dr . Duarte is the lead principal investigator in a research grant funded by Virginia Tech Intelligent Infrastructure Human-Center Communities ( IIHCC ) Destination Area . The goal of this project is to study the challenges associated with the long-term use of dry cask systems used to store spent nuclear fuel . Dr . Rebecca Cai from the Materials Science and Engineering Department and Dr . Sonja Schmid from the Department of Science , Technology , and Science are also part of the team .
Nuclear power is considered a zero-emission energy source that is crucial to meet the global demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions . One of the factors slowing down the utilization of nuclear energy is the uncertainties associated with the long-term storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel ( SNF ).
One of the main technical safety concerns of dry storage systems ( DSC ) is the stress corrosion caused by a harsh environment ( high temperature , radiation , the proximity of seawater , etc .). Nuclear plants , and therefore DSCs , are often located close to the marine environment , which increases the concentration of salts in the atmosphere leading to aggressive chemistry that could result in this specific corrosion mechanism . We will investigate the chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking ( CISCC ) under conditions consistently encountered in storage sites using accelerated laboratory experiments to simulate marine environments . We will also investigate the effects of welding techniques , temperature , relative humidity , and dust deposition on CISCC in accelerated controlled experiments . Our future goals are combining experimental data and stochastic modeling methods to help us make smart technological and equitable policy decisions in the near future .
FREDERIC PAULUSSEN
30 RESEARCH • VIRGINIA TECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ANNUAL REPORT • 2019-2020