Public Funding for Edf Energy (UK) Limited

In this project, Cybula, a research intensive SME, will work with EDF's nuclear operating business in the UK and their R&D group in France to further develop and evaluate its' pattern recognition software methods for use as an alerting and diagnostic modelling system to monitor a range of assets. The proposed data modelling approach will use an abnormality detection system (AURAalert) which uses Cybula's optimised search engine to compare current performance of a continuously monitored system against large, reference data containing individual instances of normal performance. A proto-type system was developed as part of a previous TSB nuclear feasibility study. AURAalert will be linked to Cybula's SDE search software so that EDF can search for similar events in archived data across fleets of assets. The project aims to test the system on a range of assets.

Graphite is used as the moderator in EDF Energy nuclear Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors. It also plays a structural role and the integrity of graphite components has a high impact on plant lifetime economics. The aim of the project is to gain a good understanding and evaluation of fracture in irradiated graphite components by complementary numerical and experimental approaches. An advanced modelling tool allowing automatic simulation of crack propagation in graphite bricks will be developed. An innovative experimental method will be elaborated to validate these models. Uncertainties related to the whole core mechanical behaviour will also be assessed. By supporting the decisions regarding AGRs plant life extensions, it will participate to the security of low carbon electricity supply in the UK in the next years, at affordable and competitive costs.