Reactor protection system testing for the solid fuel thorium molten salt reactor

Safety system testing is one of the most rigorous and time-consuming requirements in the verification and validation process for reactor protection systems(RPSs).This paper presents the development of a test system for the fully digital and field-programmable gate array-based RPS of the solid fuel(SF) thorium-breeding molten salt pebble bed fluoride salt-cooled reactor(TMSR),denoted as the TMSR-SF1 project,developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.The test system is applied to the RPS to ensure that it fully meets its designed functions and system specifications.We first introduce the testing principles and methods.Then,the hardware component designs and the software program development of the test system are discussed.Finally,the test process and test results are discussed and summarized.

Stress corrosion cracking behavior of PH13-8Mo stainless steel in Cl^- solutions

The stress corrosion cracking（ SCC） behavior of PH13-8Mo precipitation hardening stainless steel（ PHSS） in neutral NaCl solutions was investigated through slow-strain-rate tensile（ SSRT） test at various applied potentials. Fracture morphology,elongation ratio,and percentage reduction of area were measured to evaluate the SCC susceptibility. A critical concentration of 1. 0 mol / L neutral NaCl existed for SCC of PH13-8Mo steel. Significant SCC emerged when the applied potential was more negative than -0. 15 VSCE,and the SCC behavior was controlled by an anodic dissolution（ AD） process.When the applied potential was lower than -0. 55 VSCE,an obvious hydrogen-fracture morphology was observed,which indicated that the SCC behavior was controlled by hydrogen-induced cracking（ HIC）.Between -0. 15 and -0. 35 VSCE,the applied potential exceeded the equilibrium hydrogen evolution potential in neutral NaCl solutions and the crack tips were of electrochemical origin in the anodic region; thus,the SCC process was dominated by the AD mechanism.

Carbide dissolution and austenite grain growth behavior of a new ultrahigh-strength stainless steel

The isothermal grain growth behavior for a new ultrahigh-strength stainless steel (UHSSS) is investigated in temperature range from 900 to 1150 ℃ and holding time range from 0 to 20 min. In the temperature range from 1000 to 1050 ℃, a bimodal grain size distribution was induced by different austenite grain growth rates which resulted from the weakened pin-ning effect by the partial dissolution of M6C particles along austenite grain boundaries. Further raising heating temperatures, M6C particles almost dissolved and the bimodal grain size distribution phenomenon became weakened, indicating that the austenite grain coarsening temperature of the new UHSSS was close to 1050 ℃. According to the present experimental results, a pragmatic mathematical model based on the Arrhenius equations was developed to predict the austenite grain growth process, which elaborated the influence of heating temperature, holding time and initial grain size on the austenite grain growth. Predictions for the new UHSSS presented a good agreement with experimental results.

Atomic-scale characterization of multiple precipitating species in a precipitation-hardened martensitic stainless steel

Multiple precipitating species in a 2.2 GPa grade precipitation-hardened martensitic stainless steel with balanced ductility were characterized at atomic scale by atom probe tomography.The results indicated that the clustering of solute atoms was promoted with progressive aging treatments.(Cr,Mo)-rich carbide(M_(2)C)precipitated at the linear dislocations in the as-aged steels.Obvious segregation of Cr,Mo,and C at phase boundaries favored the precipitation of carbide and caused the formation of Cr-lean domains.Spinodal decomposition of martensitic matrix during aging led to the substantial precipitation of fine Cr-rich(α′Cr)phase.Compared with the first aging treated samples,a synergistic enhancement of both strength and ductility of the secondary aging treated(SAT)samples was primarily ascribed to the enhanced precipitation of Cr-rich phase.Additionally,Ni-rich filmy reversed austenite precipitated at the lath boundary,which was beneficial to the ductility of SAT samples.

Investigation of stress corrosion cracking behavior and mechanism analysis of a 1900 MPa-grade ultra-high-strength stainless steel

The stress corrosion cracking(SCC)behavior of a 1900 MPa-grade ultra-high-strength stainless steel in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution was investigated by X-ray diffractometer,scanning electron microscopy,electron back-scattered diffraction,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,and potentiodynamic polarization curves.The results showed that USS122G stel has good SCC resistance,and the critical stress intensiy factor(K_(iscc))of USS122G steel was about 68.906 MPa m^(1/2) and Kiscc/K_(ic)=0.76(K_(ic) is plane strain fracture toughness).The existence of film-like austenite along the lath martensite boundary and the protective effect of thecc passivation flm were the main factors for its high Kiscc.Among them,the main components of the passivation film on the surface of USS122G steel were Cr_(2)O_(3),Cr(OH)_(3),FeOOH,and Ni(OH)_(2).The fracture morphology of SCC zone was intergranular and transgranular.Through the slow and fast scanning rate polarization curve test results,it can be concluded that SCC mechanism of USS122G steel in 3.5 wt.%NaCl solution at the open-circuit potential was a mixed mechanism involving hydrogen embritlement and anodic dissolution.