From November 13 to 14, 2018, The 22nd Zirconium Alloy Technology Seminar, hosted by ANT International, was held in Shanghai Nuclear Research & Design Institute (SNERDI).  Over 30 zirconium experts from CNPRI, China Nuclear Power Engineering, State Nuclear Bao Ti Zirconium Industry Company, Nu-Star Nuclear, and SNERDI attended the seminar.

SNERDI introduced the historical development of the institute, the research & design achievements of fuel, and the latest progress on self-designed CAP1400 fuel materials. The primary issues discussed during ZIRAT22 include regulatory bodies and utility perspectives related to fuel performance, dry storage, potential burn-up limitations, and mechanical properties of zirconium and so on.

The successful holding of ZIRAT22 deepened the understanding of cladding primary failures, post-failure degradation of failed fuel, corrosion and hydrating mechanisms and performance of commercial alloys. On the basis of ZIRAT, zirconium alloy team in SNERDI will strengthen the construction of fuel R&D system, and enhance the technical decision-making capability and influence.

The annual ZIRAT Program is open to nuclear utilities and laboratories world-wide. The overall objective of the program is to enable the members to identify potential zirconium alloy material advantages and limitations as well as suggest solutions for current issues.