Inspection system for Zircaloy clad fuel rods

Technical Report · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4130812· OSTI ID:4130812

Yancey, M E; Porter, E H; Hansen, H R

A description is presented of the design, development, and performance of a remote scanning system for nondestructive examination of fuel rods. Characteristics that are examined include microcracking of fuel rod cladding, fuel-cladding interaction, cladding thickness, fuel rod diameter variation, and fuel rod bowing. Microcracking of both the inner and outer fuel rod surfaces and variations in wall thickness are detected by using a pulsed eddy current technique developed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). Fuel rod diameter variation and fuel rod bowing are detected by using two linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and a signal conditioning system. The system's mechanical features include variable scanning speeds, a precision indexing system, and a servomechanism to maintain proper probe alignment. Initial results indicate that the system is a very useful mechanism for characterizing irradiated fuel rods. (auth)

• Research Organization: Aerojet Nuclear Co., Idaho Falls, Idaho (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: E(10-1)-1375
• NSA Number: NSA-33-011210
• OSTI ID: 4130812
• Report Number(s): ANCR--1259
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*BWR TYPE REACTORS-- FUEL RODS
*EDDY CURRENT TESTING
*FUEL RODS-- INSPECTION
*PWR TYPE REACTORS-- FUEL RODS
210100* --Nuclear Power Plants--Power Reactors
Non- Breeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
CRACKS
DEFORMATION
FUEL CANS
N46400 --Instrumentation--Miscellaneous Instruments
N77100* --Reactors--Power Reactors
Non-breeding
Light- water Moderated
Boiling Water-cooled
N77200 --Reactors--Power Reactors
Non-breeding
Light-water Moderated
Non-boiling Water-cooled
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
SENSITIVITY
SPECIFICATIONS
ZIRCALOY