Our Case Studies AGR Core Component Failure Predictions using COMSOL Multiphysics

Cracking of graphite components is proving a potential limiting mechanism in terms of station life for our client’s advanced gas-cooled reactors.  EASL is assisting our client to understand the behaviour of post-irradiated induced cracking of a graphite fuel brick. A multilayer partial fuel channel has been modelled to predict the failure of interacting graphite components in the central region of the core. EASL’s work now means that the evolution of stress and its effect on the failure mechanism of different graphite components is now understood. This is invaluable information to our client in preparing safety cases to secure the ongoing operation of these reactors and therefore future generation revenue.