Management of Ageing in Graphite Reactor Cores

Nuclear power currently contributes nearly a quarter of the electricity needs of the UK. Much of this is from nuclear reactor plants developed some fifty years ago. Consequently, in the next few decades, many of these reactors and components are coming to the end of their 'useful' life and strategies for the effective management of these decommissioned parts are paramount. Management of Ageing Processes in Graphite Reactor Cores discusses in detail both the scientific challenges and the issues involved in this subject. It begins with an introductory section on the fundamentals of reactor design and goes on to discuss graphite core behaviour under irradiation; graphite-component behaviour and its assessment; and whole core behaviour. The book concludes with a section on the lessons learned from decades of experience. Written by leading experts in the field, this high level book is ideal for both academia and industry, and would also be of relevance to policy makers and governments.