Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional ... - The FIRE Place

(dollars in thousands)
FY 2010
Actual FY 2011 FY 2012
Approp Request Request
Plant and Component Materials Development: This work characterizes high strength
structural, corrosion resistant, pressure vessel, steam generator, and valve materials to determine
the cause for degraded performance and develop improved predictive techniques. Funding has
been identified in the estimated amount of $15,700,000 to support this work in FY 2012,
including the following:
• Provide manufacturing support for S9G Steam Generators and A1B reactor heavy equipment
fabrication.
• Perform tests to characterize existing structural materials so their use can be expanded to other
component applications in new designs and allow them to be backfit into existing fleet
components.
• Conduct testing to determine the effects of variables, such as materials, environment, and
operating conditions on Stress Corrosion Cracking initiation, growth, and low temperature
facture.
• Develop models to provide accurate lifetime predictions for fleet components. Characterize
water chemistry effects on corrosion performance.
• Develop an increased understanding of residual stress and techniques to minimize it.
• Perform testing to characterize the rate of embrittlement as a function of exposure to time and
temperature.
• Develop welding methods to help enable the application of alternate cladding.
• Support the manufacturing community during the fabrication of components using existing
processes.
• Develop new manufacturing processes to optimize manufacturing, reduce component lifecycle
costs and improve in service performance. Perform surveillances of vendor
manufacturing processes and procedures, qualify vendors to fabricate hardware, and update
material and manufacturing specifications.
Materials Evaluation, Testing and Verification: The purpose of this work is to establish and
maintain capability to perform materials testing representative of shipboard service applications.
Funding has been identified in the estimated amount of $28,200,000 to support this work in
FY 2012, including the following:
• Provide fundamental support by confirmatory or advanced testing to determine material and
component properties and corrosion performance in prototypical, alternate and advanced
operating environments.
• Provide analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, microscopy, materials properties testing and
metallography support for all current, advanced, and emergent core, structural, and reactor
plant materials technology programs.
Naval Reactors/
Operations and Maintenance
Page 453
FY 2012 Congressional Budget