Evaluation of nondestructive hydrogen detection methods in zirconium alloys. Final report

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:10171876

Goldstein, L; Klein, R; Strasser, A ^[1]

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1. Stoller (S.M.) Corp., Pleasantville, NY (United States)

Potential non-destructive test methods were reviewed and evaluated for the detection and measurement of hydrogen in irradiated zirconium alloy fuel assembly components, primarily cladding. An important requirement for the method is that the measurements be made in the spent fuel pool of the reactor in which the fuel was irradiated, to avoid time consuming and expensive transport to and examination in a hot cell. No proven experience exists that meets these requirements; however, a number of methods have a potential for development. The most sensitive method would be neutron radiography, but requires a strong, compact neutron source for pool applications. The eddy current method should be able to detect high hydrogen contents in principle, and some observations have been made in this respect but are mostly unsubstantiated. Other methods were also reviewed and among these ultrasonic testing, electrical sensitivity, and microhardness appear to have some potential. The lack of a proven method provides a strong incentive for development of destructive sampling techniques, without clad puncture, followed by chemical analysis capable of utilizing small samples.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Stoller (S.M.) Corp., Pleasantville, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 10171876
• Report Number(s): EPRI-TR--100753; ON: UN92040036
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103
360105
42 ENGINEERING
420500
COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
CORROSION AND EROSION
DETECTION
EDDY CURRENT TESTING
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT
INSPECTION
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
ZIRCALOY