NOMATEN HYBRID-SEMINAR November 18: Role of Hydrogen on Burst Behaviour of Zircaloy-4 Cladding under postulated loss-of-coolant accident

Date
2025-11-18, 13:00

NOMATEN HYBRID-SEMINAR

online: https://meet.goto.com/NCBJmeetings/nomaten-seminar
In-person: NOMATEN seminar room (102)

Tuesday, NOVEMBER 18th  2025 1 PM (CET)

Role of Hydrogen on Burst Behaviour of Zircaloy-4 Cladding
under postulated loss-of-coolant accident

Siddharth Suman, Ph.D.
Centre for Nuclear Safety, VTT, Finland

 

Abstract:

Climate change and energy security have emerged as the biggest concerns of the present century. As greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, finding ways to generate power cleanly, affordably, and reliably is becoming an even more pressing imperative. Nuclear power is not a silver bullet, but it is a partial solution that has proved workable on a large scale. Perhaps, the global energy demand would not be achieved by nuclear alone, but it may not be achieved without it anytime sooner. There are currently 438 nuclear power plants in operation and 70 new ones under construction worldwide. Zircaloy, a zirconium–tin alloy, is extensively used for nuclear fuel cladding in almost all water-cooled nuclear power reactors because of the conjunction of the following crucial properties: low thermal neutron absorption cross section, excellent resistance to corrosion in high temperature and pressure conditions, and relatively high mechanical strength. During a postulated Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA), rapid thermal transients and internal pressurization can trigger burst failure of cladding, whose onset and morphology are strongly influenced by hydrogen content, distribution, and orientation. This seminar will discuss the role of hydrogen on the burst behaviour of unirradiated Zircaloy-4 under simulated LOCA conditions. The discussion aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to develop predictive safety criteria for cladding integrity under accident scenarios.

 

Bio:

Dr. Suman is currently working as a Senior Scientist at Centre for Nuclear Safety, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland — one of Europe’s leading research institutions owned by the Finnish state. His diverse research portfolio includes sustainable energy, nuclear safety, magnesium bio-implants, composites engineering, artificial intelligence for engineering applications, and non-Newtonian fluids. Dr. Suman's repeated inclusion in "World's Top 2 % Scientists' list"; highlights his exceptional and sustained contributions to research, global influence, and scientific excellence. He has also been the recipient of several prestigious honours, including the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship for postdoctoral research. Beyond research, Dr. Suman actively engages in science journalism as well as public advocacy on education, empowerment, and environmental issues. More details about his work may be seen at www.siddharthsuman.com

 

 

 

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This project has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme under grant agreement No 857470 and from European Regional Development Fund
via Foundation for Polish Science International Research Agenda PLUS programme grant
No MAB PLUS/2018/8.
Poland
The project is co-financed from the state budget within the framework of the undertaking of the Minister of Science and Higher Education "Support for the activities of Centers of Excellence established under Horizon 2020".

Grant: 5 143 237,70 EUR
Total value: 29 971 365,00 EUR
Date of signing the funding agreement: December 2023

The purpose of the undertaking is to support entities of the higher education and science system that have received funding from the European Union budget in the competition H2020-WIDESPREAD-2018-2020/WIDESPREAD-01-2018-2019: Teaming Phase 2. in the preparation, implementation and updating of activities, maintenance of material resources necessary for carrying out activities, acquisition and modernization of scientific and research apparatus, maintenance and development of personnel potential necessary for the implementation of activities, and dissemination of the results of scientific activities.