Post-irradiation examination of chemically nickel-plated fuel elements from PT-IP-263-A (RM-414)

Technical Report · Mon Apr 17 04:00:00 EST 1961

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10177022· OSTI ID:10177022

Gruber, W J

Two chemically nickel-plated, internally and externally cooled, Hanford production fuel elements, which were irradiated to approximately 800 MWD/T as part of PT-IP-263-A, were transferred to the Radiometallurgy Laboratory in December 1960. The elements were selected for detailed examination because one had incurred a hot spot during irradiation and the other contained some unusual cracks in the nickel plate. Prior to irradiation, both fuel elements had been baked at 300 C to heat-treat the nickel plate. Also, the nickel plate of several unirradiated elements was damaged by scraping, marring, scratching and punching. The elements were exposed for six weeks to 105 C basin water, which was approximately the length of time the irradiated elements were in 105 C basin prior to transfer. Two unirradiated elements were submitted for comparison with irradiated pieces. The examination was requested by Process Engineering, Fuels Preparation Department; and Process and Reactor Development, Irradiation Processing Department, to determine the effects of irradiation on elements with improved nickel plating and to aid in evaluating the nickel-plated fuel element program.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Richland, WA (United States). Hanford Atomic Products Operation
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 10177022
• Report Number(s): HW--69285; ON: DE94017639
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300
220600
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360106
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COATINGS
FUEL ELEMENTS
HANFORD PRODUCTION REACTORS
IRRADIATION
NICKEL
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RESEARCH
TEST
TRAINING
PRODUCTION
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING REACTORS