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Effect of water radiolysis on the hydrogen absorption flux by austenitic stainless steels in the core of


Thesis topic details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

SL-DES-25-0229  

Thesis topic details

Category

Engineering science

Thesis topics

Effect of water radiolysis on the hydrogen absorption flux by austenitic stainless steels in the core of a nuclear pressurized water reactor

Contract

Thèse

Job description

In pressurized water nuclear reactors, the core components are exposed to both corrosion in the primary medium, pressurized water at around 150 bar and 300°C, and to neutron flux. The stainless steels in the core are damaged by a combination of neutron bombardment and corrosion. In addition, radiolysis of the water can have an impact on the mechanisms and kinetics of corrosion, the reactivity of the medium and, a priori, the mechanisms and kinetics of hydrogen absorption by these materials. This last point, which has not yet been studied, may prove problematic, as hydrogen in solid solution in steel can lead to changes in (and degradation of) the mechanical properties of the steel and induce premature cracking of the part. This highly experimental thesis will focus on the study of the impact of radiolysis phenomena on the corrosion and hydrogen uptake mechanisms of a 316L stainless steel exposed to the primary medium under irradiation. Hydrogen will be traced by deuterium, and neutron irradiation simulated by electron irradiation on particle accelerators. An existing permeation cell will be modified to allow in operando measurement by mass spectrometry of the deuterium permeation flux through a sample exposed to the simulated primary water under radiolysis conditions. The distribution of hydrogen in the material, as well as the nature of the oxide layers formed, will be analysed in detail using state-of-the-art techniques available at the CEA and in partner laboratories. The doctoral student will ultimately be required to (i) identify the mechanisms involved (corrosion and hydrogen entry), (ii) estimate their kinetics and (iii) model the evolution of hydrogen flux in the steel in connection with radiolysis activity.

University / doctoral school

Energie - Matériaux - Sciences de la Terre et de l’Univers (EMSTU)
Orléans

Thesis topic location

Site

Saclay

Requester

Position start date

01/10/2025

Person to be contacted by the applicant

MARTIN Frantz frantz.martin@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DRMP/S2CM/LECA
CEA de Saclay
DEN/ISAS/DRMP/S2CM/LECA
Bat. 458, p. 119
91191 Gif sur Yvette cedex
01 69 08 48 86

Tutor / Responsible thesis director

BARTHE Marie-France marie-france.barthe@cnrs-orleans.fr
CEMHTI-CNRS
CNRS UPR3079
Conditions Extrêmes et Matériaux : Haute Température et Irradiation
Site Cyclotron
3A rue de la Férolerie
45071 Orléans cedex 2

+33 (0) 238 25 54 29

En savoir plus

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Frantz-Martin