Design Challenges and Activation Concerns for ARIES Vacuum Vessel

Research has been conducted to find the optimal steel to use in the vacuum vessel (VV) of ARIES power plants. The VV should meet several design criteria, including activation and fabrication requirements. Seven different types of steel were examined in order to determine which steel would be the best candidate for the ARIES VV. The main concerns are related to activation, properties under irradiation, and fabrication of a sizable VV. Steels generating high-level waste (such as 316-SS) were excluded from possible material choices. As a VV material, there is the necessity for a carefully controlled the post-weld-heat-treatment at ~750°C after assembly, welding, and rewelding. For this particular reason, the F82H FS is not suitable for the ARIES VV. The newly developed 3Cr-3WV bainitic FS meets the activation requirements and has the potential to satisfy the fabrication requirements for the ARIES VV. It is recommended for further consideration because of several advantages over other candidate steels.