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Detection and location of leaking TRIGA fuel elements

Conference ·
OSTI ID:21154362
;  [1]
  1. University of Texas at Austin, TX (United States)
Several TRIGA facilities have experienced difficulty resulting from cladding failures of aluminum clad TRIGA fuel elements. Recently, at the University of Texas at Austin reactor facility, fission product releases were observed during 250 kW operation and were attributed to a leaking fuel element. A rather extensive testing program has been undertaken to locate the faulty element. The used sniffer device is described, which provides a quick, easily constructed, and extremely sensitive means of locating leaking fuel elements. The difficulty at The University of Texas was compounded by extremely low levels and the sporadic nature of the releases. However, in the more typical situation, in which a faulty element consistently releases relatively large quantities of fission gas, such a device should locate the leak with little difficulty.
Research Organization:
Gulf General Atomic Inc., San Diego, CA (United States)
OSTI ID:
21154362
Report Number(s):
INIS-US--09N0246; T--117
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English