IMPROVING SAFETY TESTING AT NUCLEAR REACTORS

“You lose an estimated $2 million in generation every day that your nuclear plant is down, so shortening outages is a huge thing in the industry right now.”

SALEEM ALDAJANI PhD student

The implications of this research extend beyond nuclear power. The method could also be applied to the oil and gas sector for maintaining pipes, as well as for improving the monitoring of solar infrastructure. Furthermore, the research has implications for space exploration, as it could improve the durability of spacecraft.

The next step is developing a portable test kit to be used on-site with KAUST’s spectroscopy team. By shortening shutdowns, and enabling frequent and inexpensive testing, this technique could make a significant difference in the nuclear power industry. Extending the operating licenses of existing plants would save millions of dollars in lost electricity every year, and contribute to the fight against climate change.

MIT

Saleem Aldajani, a PhD student at KAUST, is conducting research in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that could revolutionize the testing of stainless steel components in the energy and space industries. He received a fully funded scholarship to do his bachelor’s degree at MIT from the prestigious KAUST Gifted Student Program. His research aligns with the goals and national priorities outlined in Vision 2030 on energy sustainability and space exploration, as it focuses on improving safety checks for nuclear components by reducing the time and cost.

The traditional method of testing stainless steel components can be costly and timeconsuming. The new approach uses laser beams to generate acoustic waves on the surface of the stainless steel material, which are then measured and analyzed using another set of laser beams to detect degradation. The researchers found that degraded material produces a distinct double-peaked spectral signature, indicating potential issues.

The team’s research focused on spinodal decomposition, a primary concern for nuclear reactors. By identifying the specific frequencies associated with this degradation, the researchers were able to develop a reliable diagnostic tool. This breakthrough has the potential to improve the safety and efficiency of nuclear power plants, extending their lifespan and mitigating the need for expensive or frequent shutdowns.

“[Existing, large-scale plants] generate just shy of $1 billion in carbon-free electricity per plant each year. Keeping our current nuclear reactors online and in operation is the single biggest thing we can do to fight climate change.”