Phase one started in July 2004 and was completed in June 2009. It utilised the hot cell facilities and expertise available at the Swedish Studsvik establishment in order to assess material properties and determine conditions that can lead to fuel failures.
A second phase (SCIP-2) of this project started in July 2009 and was completed in June 2014. It was built on the considerable knowledge generated in the previous SCIP programme. The goal of the second phase was to generate high quality experimental data to improve the understanding of the dominant failure mechanisms for water reactor fuels and to devise means for reducing fuel failures. The major focus had been on cladding failures that are caused by pellet-cladding mechanical interaction, especially stress corrosion and hydrogen-assisted fracture mechanisms, as well as on the propagation of cladding cracks.
The scope and objectives of the programme were established following extensive discussions within the SCIP community, including a dedicated workshop in June 2013.
Based on the results of the 2013 workshop and the current needs and interests of the SCIP community, the continuation of the third phase (SCIP-3) of the project had the following objectives:
SCIP-3 began in July 2014 and aimed to study LOCA and off-normal temperature transients from a safety and operational point of view. There was also be a smaller part related to pellet cladding interaction (PCI) failures. Modelling was an essential and integral part of the project. LOCA-related matters consumed about 70% of the budget, PCI made use of about 15% and modelling used up about 5% of the budget The remaining 10% of the budget was not be allocated at the start of the program. That part of the budget was reserved to cover changes and/or extensions to the scope of work during the project.
In phase three, members from the entire nuclear community from many countries met to share understanding, experience and knowledge. Representatives from regulatory bodies, utilities, vendors and research organizations established a common understanding, enabling a shared view on safety matters, operational concerns and mechanisms of different phenomena, thus facilitating a safer and more economical production of nuclear electricity.
The continuation of the fourth phase (SCIP-4) of the project has the following objectives:
SCIP: Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States
SCIP-2: Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Korea, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States
SCIP-3: China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Norway, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States
SCIP: July 2004 to June 2009
SCIP-2: July 2009 to June 2014
SCIP-3: July 2014 to June 2019
SCIP: SEK 12 million (i.e. about USD 1.8 million) per year. Swedish parties cover 50% of this cost
SCIP-2: SEK 15 million (about EUR 1.5 million) per year. Swedish parties covered 50% of this cost
SCIP-3: About EUR 1.67 million per year