Tomography for partial-defect verification : experiences from measurements using different devices

• 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.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Subatomär fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Subatomic Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

tomography

Applied Nuclear Physics

Tillämpad kärnfysik

Fysik med inriktning mot tillämpad kärnfysik

Physics with specialization in Applied Nuclear Physics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)