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| 2. |
- Holcombe, Scott, et al.
(author)
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Feasibility of identifying leaking fuel rods using gamma tomography
- 2013
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In: Annals of Nuclear Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4549 .- 1873-2100. ; 57, s. 334-340
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In cases of fuel failure in irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies, causing leakage of fission gasses from a fuel rod, there is a need for reliable non-destructive measurement methods that can determine which rod is failed. Methods currently in use include visual inspection, eddy current, and ultrasonic testing, but additional alternatives have been under consideration, including tomographic gamma measurements.The simulations covered in this report show that tomographic measurements could be feasible. By measuring a characteristic gamma energy from fission gasses in the gas plenum, the rod-by-rod gamma source distribution within the fuel rod plena may be reconstructed into an image or data set which could then be compared to the predicted distribution of fission gasses, e.g. from the STAV code. Rods with significantly less fission gas in the plenum may then be identified as leakers.Results for rods with low fission gas release may, however, in some cases be inconclusive since these rods will already have a weak contribution to the measured gamma-ray intensities and for such rods there is a risk that a further decrease in fission gas content due to a leak may not be detectable. In order to evaluate this and similar experimental issues, measurement campaigns are planned using a tomographic measurement system at the Halden Boiling Water Reactor.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Holcombe, Scott, et al.
(author)
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Method For Analyzing Fission Gas Release In Fuel Rods Based On Gamma-Ray Measurements Of Short-Lived Fission Products
- 2013
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In: Nuclear Technology. - 0029-5450 .- 1943-7471. ; 184:1, s. 96-106
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fission gases are produced as a result of fission reactions in nuclear fuel. Most of these gases remain trapped within the fuel pellets, but some may be released to the fuel rod internal gas volume under certain conditions. This phenomenon of fission gas release is important for fuel performance since the released gases can degrade the thennal properties of the fuel rod. fill gas and contribute to increasing fuel rod internal pressure. Various destructive and nondestructive methods are available for determining the amount of fission gas release; however, the current methods are primarily useful for determining the integrated fission gas release fraction, i.e., the amount of fission gas produced in the fuel that has been released to the free rod volume over the entire lifetime of a nuclear fuel rod. In this work, a method is proposed for determining the fission gas release that occurs during short irradia-tion sequences. The proposed method is based on spectroscopic measurements of gamma rays emitted in the decay of short-lived fission gas isotopes. Determining such sequence-specific fission gas release can be of interest when evaluating the fuel behavior for selected times during irradiation, such as during power ramps. The data obtained in this type of measurement may also be useful for investigating the mechanisms behind fission gas release for fuel at high burnup. The method is demonstrated based on the analysis of experimental gamma-ray spectra previously collected using equipment not dedicated for this purpose; however, the analysis indicates the feasibility of the method. Further evaluation of the method is planned, using dedicated equipment at the Halden Boiling Water Reactor.
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| 5. |
- Jacobsson Svärd, Staffan, et al.
(author)
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Non-destructive experimental determination of the pin-power distribution in nuclear fuel
- 2003
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- A need for validation of modern core-analysis codes with respect to the calculated pin-power distribution has been recognized. A non-destructive experimental method for such validation has been developed, based on a tomographic technique. Each axial node of the fuel assembly is measured separately and the relative pin-by-pin content of the direct fission product Ba-140 is determined. Investigations performed so far indicate that 1-2% (1 σ) accuracy can be obtained.A measuring device has been constructed which, when fully equipped, is designed to measure a complete BWR assembly in 25 axial nodes within an eight-hour work shift. The applicability of the constructed device has been demonstrated in measurements at the Swedish BWR Forsmark 2 on irradiated fuel with a cooling time of 4-5 weeks. Data from the core-analysis code POLCA-7 have been compared to measured pin-by-pin contents of Ba-140. An agreement of 3.1% (1 σ) has been demonstrated.As compared to the conventional method, involving gamma scanning of individual fuel pins, this method does not require the fuel to be disassembled. Neither does the fuel channel have to be removed. The cost per measured fuel pin is in the order of 20 times lower than the conventional method.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Jacobsson Svärd, Staffan, et al.
(author)
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Nondestructive Experimental Determination of the Pin-Power Distribution in Nuclear Fuel Assemblies
- 2005
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In: Nuclear Technology. - 0029-5450. ; 151:1, s. 70-76
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A need for validation of modern production codes with respect to the calculated pin-power distribution has been recognized. A nondestructive experimental method for such validation has been developed based on a tomographic technique. The gamma-ray flux distribution is recorded in each axial node of the fuel assembly separately, whereby the relative rod-by-rod content of the fission product 140Ba is determined. Measurements indicate that 1 to 2% accuracy (1 sigma) is achievable.A device has been constructed for in-pool measurements at reactor sites. The applicability has been demonstrated in measurements at the Swedish boiling water reactor (BWR) Forsmark 2 on irradiated fuel with a cooling time of 4 to 5 weeks. Data from the production code POLCA-7 have been compared to measured rod-by-rod contents of 140Ba. An agreement of 3.1% (1 sigma) has been demonstrated.It is estimated that measurements can be performed on a complete BWR assembly in 25 axial nodes within an 8-h work shift. As compared to the conventional method, involving gamma scanning of individual fuel rods, this method does not require the fuel to be disassembled nor does the fuel channel have to be removed. The cost per measured fuel rod is estimated to be an order of magnitude lower than the conventional method.
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| 8. |
- Jacobsson Svärd, Staffan, et al.
(author)
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Tomography for partial-defect verification : experiences from measurements using different devices
- 2006
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In: ESARDA Bulletin. - 0392-3029. ; 33, s. 15-25
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Three devices of different types have been used in tomographic measurements for the purpose of partial-defect verification on the single-rod level. The devices range from a laboratory device used in measurements on a fuel model to an in-pool device used in measurements on irradiated fuel in a fuel-handling pool.The tomographic technique accounted for in this paper involves measurements of the gamma-ray flux distribution around a fuel assembly followed by computer-aided reconstruction of the internal source distribution. The results are rod-by-rod values of the relative concentrations of selected gamma-emitting isotopes. Also cross-sectional images are obtained.The tomographic technique presented here has proven to be robust and reliable. In laboratory experiments on a fuel model, reconstructions of relative rod-by-rod activities have been obtained with 1.5 % accuracy (1 σ). Using an in-pool device in measurements on fuel with a cooling time of about 4 weeks, data on fuel rods have been obtained in agreement with production-code calculations. Furthermore, tomographic images of good quality have been acquired.The applicability of the tomographic technique for partial-defect verification on the single-rod level has been investigated and demonstrated. The gamma-ray source concentration reconstructed in a position corresponding to a removed or replaced rod has been significantly lower than that of normal rods.Finally, requirements and properties of a device for tomographic measurements on nuclear fuel are discussed. It is argued that the use of a detector system with high energy resolution and high peak efficiency in connection to spectroscopic peak analysis is beneficial.
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| 9. |
- Osifo, Otasowie, et al.
(author)
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Verification and determination of the decay heat in spent PWR fuel by means of gamma scanning
- 2008
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In: Nuclear science and engineering. - 0029-5639 .- 1943-748X. ; 160:1, s. 129-143
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Decay heat is an important design parameter at the future Swedish spent nuclear fuel repository. It will be calculated for each fuel assembly using dedicated depletion codes, based on the operator-declared irradiation history. However, experimental verification of the calculated decay heat is also anticipated. Such verification may, be obtained by, gamma scanning using the established correlation between the decay heat and the emitted gamma-ray intensity from Cs-137. In this procedure, the correctness of the operator-declared fuel parameters can be verified. Recent achievements of the gamma-scanning technique include the development of a dedicated spectroscopic data-acquisition system and the use of an advanced calorimeter for calibration. Using this system, the operator-declared burnup and cooling time of 31 pressurized water reactor fuel assemblies was verified experimentally, to within 2.2% (1 sigma) and 1.9% (1 sigma), respectively. The measured decay heat agreed with calorimetric data within 2.3% (1 sigma). whereby the calculated decay, heat was verified within 2.3% (1 sigma). The measuring time per fuel assembly was similar to 15 min. In case reliable operator-declared data are not available, the gamma-scanning technique also provides a means to independently measure the decay, heat. The results obtained in this procedure agreed with calorimetric data within 2.7% (1 sigma).
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| 10. |
- Willman, Christofer, et al.
(author)
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A nondestructive method for discriminating MOX fuel from LEU fuel for safeguards purposes
- 2006
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In: Annals of Nuclear Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4549 .- 1873-2100. ; 33:9, s. 766-773
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plutonium-rich mixed oxide fuel (MOX) is increasingly used in thermal reactors. However, spent MOX fuel could be a potential source of nuclear weapons material and a safeguards issue is therefore to determine whether a spent nuclear fuel assembly is of MOX type or of LEU (Low Enriched Uranium) type. In this paper, we present theoretical and experimental results of a study that aims to investigate the possibilities of using gamma-ray spectroscopy to determine whether a nuclear fuel assembly is of MOX or of LEU type. Simulations with the computer code ORIGEN-ARP have been performed where LEU and MOX fuel types with varying enrichment and burnup as well as different irradiation histories have been modelled. The simulations indicate that the fuel type determination may be achieved by using the intensity ratio Cs-134/Eu-154. An experimental study of MOX fuel of 14 x 14 PWR type and LEU fuel of both 15 x 15 and 17 x 17 type is also reported in this paper. The outcome of the experimental study support the conclusion that MOX fuel may be discriminated from LEU fuel by measuring the suggested isotopic ratio.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Willman, Christofer, 1975-
(author)
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Applications of Gamma Ray Spectroscopy of Spent Nuclear Fuel for Safeguards and Encapsulation
- 2006
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Nuclear energy is currently one of the world’s main sources of electricity. Closely connected to the use of nuclear energy are important issues such as the nonproliferation of fissile material that may potentially used in nuclear weapons (safeguards), and the management of the highly radioactive nuclear waste. This thesis addresses both these issues by contributing to the development of new experimental methods for ensuring safe and secure handling of the waste, with focus on methods to be used prior to encapsulation and final storage.The methods rely on high resolution gamma ray spectroscopy (HRGS), involving the measurement and analysis of emitted gamma radiation from the fission products 137Cs, 134Cs and 154Eu. This technique is nondestructive, making it relatively nonintrusive with respect to the normal operation of the nuclear facilities.For the safeguards issue, it is important to experimentally verify the presence and identity of nuclear fuel assemblies and also that the fuel has experienced normal, civilian reactor operation. It has been shown in this thesis that the HRGS method may be used for verifying operator declared fuel parameters such as burnup, cooling time and irradiation history. In the experimental part of the work, the burnup and the cooling time has been determined with an accuracy of 1.6% and 1.5%, respectively (1 σ).A technique has also been demonstrated, utilizing the ratio 134Cs/154Eu, with which it is possible to determine whether a fuel assembly is of MOX or LEU type. This is of interest for safeguards as well as for the safe operation of a final storage facility.As an improvement to the HRGS technique, measuring a part of the fuel assembly length in order to reduce measurement time has been suggested and investigated. A theoretical case for partial defect verification has also been studied as an extension of the HRGS technique. Finally, HRGS has been used for determining the decay heat in spent nuclear fuel assemblies, which is of importance for the safe operation of a final storage facility. This application is based on the radiation from 137Cs, and the accuracy demonstrated was within 3% (1 σ).
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Willman, Christofer, et al.
(author)
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Nondestructive assay of spent nuclear fuel with gamma-ray spectroscopy
- 2006
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In: Annals of Nuclear Energy. - 0306-4549. ; 33:5, s. 427-438
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An important issue in nuclear safeguards is to verify operator-declared data of spent nuclear fuel. Various techniques have therefore been assigned for this purpose. A nondestructive approach is to measure the gamma radiation from spent nuclear fuel assemblies. Using this technique, parameters such as burnup and cooling time can be calculated or verified. In this paper, we propose the utilization of gamma rays from 137Cs, 134Cs and 154Eu to determine the consistency of operator-declared information. Specifically, we have investigated to what extent irradiation histories can be verified. Computer simulations were used in order to determine limits for detecting small deviations from declared data. In addition, the technique has been experimentally demonstrated on 12 PWR fuel assemblies. A technique for determining burnup and cooling time for fuel assemblies where no operator-declared information is available is also presented. In such a case, the burnup could be determined with 1.6% relative standard deviation and the cooling time with 1.5%.
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| 17. |
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