Ever increasing demands for fitness-for-service (FFS) demonstrations often require innovative and multidisciplinary solutions that involve elements of engineering from: materials, chemistry, stress analysis, thermal-hydraulic analysis, probabilistic assessment methods, examination and inspection approaches, and operational strategies. This is the case for most major nuclear plant systems and components, regardless of reactor type.

The MFC Division’s objectives are to provide a forum for exchanging views, ideas, and information relating to FFS demonstrations, and to share technical engineering in support of life extension and refurbishment of nuclear plant major components.

These objectives will be achieved through organizing conferences, seminars, and technical courses and soliciting articles for publication in the CNS bulletin.

The organization of events is normally done by ad-hoc Committees, consisting of both CNS members and non-members, who have a specific interest in the subject.

Current Activities

2023 Activities of the MCF Division:

– The 21st International Conference on Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power Systems in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada, Aug. 6-10, 2023 at Delta St. John’s Hotel & Conference Centre.

2022 Activities of the MCF Division:

– Nuclear Material Challenges for SMRs and Advanced Reactors, October 3, 2023

2021 Activities of the MCF Division:

– The 2nd International Conference of Materials, Chemistry & Fitness-for-Service Solutions for Nuclear Systems to be a virtual conference, October 14-15, 2021. Submit Abstracts Here

– CANDU System Chemistry Course-Virtual, By Olga Palazhchenko (UNB-CNER) and Pam Yakabuskie (CNL), October 13, 2021. Registration Now)

2020 Activities of the MCF Division:

– CANDU System Chemistry Course-Virtual, By Olga Palazhchenko (UNB-CNER), Jordan Lyons (UNB-CNER/PLNGS) and
Pam Yakabuskie (CNL), Dec. 7, 2020

 – Organized and Co-charied Gen IV Nuclear Materials Challenges Webinar, Oct 20 2020 (Event Recording) 

2019 Activities of the MCF Division:

– The 1st International Conference of Materials, Chemistry & Fitness-for-Service Solutions for Nuclear Systems to be held from May 15-17, 2019 in Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre.

The conference will be of interest to representatives from various sectors of the Nuclear Industry including: material and equipment vendors, technical and engineering service providers, utility technical staff, regulators, designers, researchers, students, and academia. Student participation is encouraged, in particular by means of a student poster session. The top three student submissions will be selected to present at the conference.

Abstracts are sought in the following areas:

• OPEX and lessons learned from recent FFS activities
• FFS case studies
• FFS programs, plans, and achievements
• Materials factors in FFS demonstrations
• Chemistry factors in FFS demonstrations
• FFS methodologies for
  • Steam generator tubing
  • CANDU fuel channels
  • PWR reactor vessel and internals
  • BWR reactor vessel and internals
  • Piping systems
  • Major heat exchangers
• Regulatory issues surrounding FFS
• Application of codes and standards in FFS
• Developments in probabilistic assessments
• Analytical tools
• Novel or innovative solutions
• Meeting the challenges of emerging issues

Presented Course: CANDU & Powerplant Chemistry—Brief Overview, by John Roberts, May 15, 2019 at Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre.

Past Activities

Past activities have been centred on:

• Technical Presentations:
  • M. Baghbanan, “Pressure Tube Degradation Mechanisms and Fitness-for-Service Challenges in CANDU Nuclear Reactors”, presented at UOIT Faculty of Energy Systems And Nuclear Science, Feb. 2018.
• The International Steam Generator and Heat Exchanger Conference, held every few years
• International Nuclear Components Conference held in 2015 (INCC 2015).