Diploma in Chemical Compatibility of Materials and Coolants
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in chemical compatibility of materials and coolants. 8 modules covering coolant chemistry, high-temperature water corrosion, liquid metals, molten salts, gas cooling, polymers and chemical monitoring under EPRI guidelines and ASME BPVC Section III Division 5, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Chemical Compatibility of Materials and Coolants — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom maintains a substantial defence industry, with prime contractors such as BAE Systems and Babcock, and a wide supply chain across the Midlands, the North West, Bristol and Scotland. Land systems, armoured vehicles, munitions and military engineering programmes provide long-term employment for engineers in design, integration, test and sustainment. The Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory oversee procurement and research. Security clearance requirements shape recruitment, and professional standards are maintained through UK defence engineering frameworks.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £1,490 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies and regulators are relevant to defence and military land systems engineering?
In the UK, the Ministry of Defence sets its own engineering standards and the Engineering Council regulates professional registration. Professional bodies such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Engineers' professional structures are relevant. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so recognition for security-cleared or MOD roles is decided by the employer and the relevant authority.
Will a private qualification help with UK defence industry careers?
UK defence employers, including primes and suppliers, often prioritise security clearance eligibility, relevant experience and formal qualifications recognised by the MOD or industry bodies. A private qualification may support your profile but is unlikely to replace these requirements. Ask prospective employers how they would assess it before enrolling.
Is it practical to study this online while working in the UK, and what about language and funding?
Online study means you can continue working in the UK, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, so good technical English is essential. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers offer training sponsorship, though policies vary. Each programme has a fixed number of hours and an assigned technical tutor. Confirm the workload and costs before enrolling.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the chemistry of the main reactor coolants.
Analyse corrosion mechanisms in high-temperature water.
Assess the compatibility of alloys with liquid metals.
Evaluate materials corrosion in molten salts.
Select materials for gas-cooled systems.
Understand the degradation of polymers and fluids in a radioactive environment.
Design chemical testing and surveillance programmes.
Who it's for
- Nuclear chemical engineers looking to deepen their expertise in materials–coolant compatibility.
- Nuclear materials corrosion specialists.
- Plant chemistry technicians at nuclear power stations.
- Researchers working on advanced reactors.
- Materials selection engineers.
- Radiochemistry laboratory analysts.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the nuclear power sector.
What you'll work with
- EPRI PWR Primary Water Chemistry Guidelines (PWR primary coolant chemistry control)
- EPRI BWR Water Chemistry Guidelines (BWR water chemistry control)
- ASME BPVC Section III Division 5 (high-temperature reactor components)
- ASTM G31 (laboratory immersion corrosion testing of metals)
- ASTM G1 (preparing, cleaning and evaluating corrosion test specimens)
- ASTM G111 (corrosion tests in high-temperature or high-pressure environments)
- IEEE 383-2015 (qualification of electric cables for nuclear facilities)
- OLI Studio
- Thermo-Calc
- FactSage
- COMSOL Multiphysics
8 modules
1.1Light water and heavy water1.2Water radiolysis1.3PWR primary chemistry with boron and lithium1.4BWR chemistry and hydrogen injection1.5Liquid sodium1.6Lead and lead-bismuth eutectic1.7Molten fluoride salts1.8Helium and its impurities1.9Comparative thermophysical properties1.10Practical exercise: at-temperature pH with boron and lithium
2.1Oxidation of stainless steels2.2PWSCC in Alloy 6002.3IGSCC in BWR reactors2.4Flow-accelerated corrosion2.5Corrosion products and CRUD2.6Axial offset anomaly caused by deposits2.7Zinc injection2.8Dissolved hydrogen control2.9EPRI chemistry guidelines2.10Case study: analysis of the Mihama 3 accident
3.1Dissolution and mass transfer3.2Oxygen control in lead3.3Corrosion of steels in sodium3.4Carburisation and decarburisation3.5Liquid metal embrittlement3.6Alumina-forming alloys3.7Testing in circulation loops3.8Purification with cold traps3.9Safety in sodium handling3.10Laboratory: corrosion data in lead
4.1FLiBe and FLiNaK chemistry4.2Redox potential and its control4.3Corrosion of Hastelloy N4.4Selective chromium leaching4.5Salt purification4.6Graphite compatibility4.7Lessons from the MSRE experiment4.8Fission products in the salt4.9Electrochemical techniques in salts4.10Workshop: design of a salt immersion test
5.1Helium and oxidising impurities5.2Graphite oxidation5.3Alloys 617 and 800H5.4Carburisation in helium5.5CO2 in AGR reactors5.6Creep in a helium atmosphere5.7Helium purification systems5.8Accidental air ingress5.9Materials in ASME III Division 55.10Case study: alloy for an intermediate heat exchanger
6.1Elastomeric gaskets and seals6.2Ion exchange resins6.3Radiation-resistant lubricants6.4Cable insulation6.5Auxiliary system coolants6.6Hydraulic oils6.7Radiolytic degradation of polymers6.8Cable qualification to IEEE 3836.9Compatibility with decontamination agents6.10Practical exercise: elastomer selection for a valve
7.1Autoclaves and test loops7.2High-temperature reference electrodes7.3Electrochemical corrosion potential7.4Plant chemical sampling7.5Corrosion coupons7.6Impedance spectroscopy7.7Surface analysis by XPS7.8Online monitoring7.9Plant chemistry specifications7.10Case study: chemistry surveillance programme
8.1Definition of the system and coolant8.2Identification of materials in contact8.3Expected degradation mechanisms8.4Review of experimental data8.5Materials selection8.6Compatibility test plan8.7Chemistry control strategy8.8Monitoring plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OLI Studio, Thermo-Calc, FactSage and COMSOL Multiphysics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for autoclave corrosion testing, molten salt immersion testing and primary circuit chemistry monitoring. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: EPRI PWR Primary Water Chemistry Guidelines, EPRI BWR Water Chemistry Guidelines, ASME BPVC Section III Division 5, ASTM G31, ASTM G1, ASTM G111, IEEE 383-2015.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with OLI Studio, Thermo-Calc, FactSage and COMSOL Multiphysics, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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