RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE OF LVDTS IN ATR HIGH TEMPERATURE IRRADIATION TESTING
New materials are being considered for fuel, cladding, and structures in next generation and existing nuclear reactors. These materials can undergo significant dimensional and physical changes during high temperature irradiations. Currently, such changes are determined by repeatedly irradiating a specimen for a specified period of time in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) and then removing it from the reactor for evaluation. The labor and time to remove, examine, and return irradiated samples for each measurement makes this approach very expensive. In addition, such techniques provide limited data and may disturb the phenomena of interest. To address these issues, the Idaho National Laboratory recently completed initial efforts to evaluate candidate Linear Variable Differential Transducers (LVDTs) for in-situ deformation measurements during high temperature irradiations in typical ATR test locations. Results from that effort, which are summarized here, were used to identify the candidate nuclear grade LVDT that most closely meets ATR requirements. However, the identified LVDT is subject to the effects of a Curie point (at ~360 °C), which required further evaluation as described. In addition, an alternate design of the candidate LVDT that is free of Curie point effects was developed, but it required separate evaluation to determine its suitability for possible ATR applications. This paper presents results from these evaluations, which will ultimately lead to recommendations for a final design for use in ATR irradiation testing.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1004278
- Report Number(s):
- INL/CON-10-18195; TRN: US1100650
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 7th international topical meeting on Nuclear plant instrumentation, control, and human-machine inte,Las Vegas, NV,11/07/2010,11/11/2010
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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