Neutron radiographic inspection of irradiated SNAP fuel

Conference · Sat Oct 31 04:00:00 EST 1970

OSTI ID:4143046

Hillig, O. R.

Post-irradiation test samples of SNAP reactor fuel elements have been nondestructively examined using neutron radiography. The results of the neutron radiographic (N-ray) examinations have been correlated with measurements made using standard hot cell destructive testing. Fuel swelling, cracking and decomposition were readily discernible in the first series of N-ray tests conducted at Atomics International (Al). Further examination of the Nrays revealed that information was available to determine hydrogen content in the uranium-zirconium hydride fuel and that the gap between the fuel and the cladding could be measured. Additional tests were performed using non-irradiated fuel samples of known hydrogen content and known gaps between fuel and cladding to establish procedures for neutron radiography of fuels and to provide standards for comparison with future tests. Hydrogen differences of 0.02 H/Zr atom ratio can be determined from the radiograph using known standards for comparison and gaps between cladding and fuel can be measured to 0.001 inch accurately. Future Al fuel irradiation experiments will use neutron radiography as the principle tool for examinations. It is expected that enough information is available through neutron radiography that only a limited number of samples, selected by examining the radiographs, will be destructively examined.

• Research Organization: Atomics International, Canoga Park, CA (United States)
• NSA Number: NSA-24-016806
• OSTI ID: 4143046
• Report Number(s): CONF-690910--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

FUELS
N24500* --Engineering--Materials Testing
N38300 --Rocket & Space Reactors
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NEUTRONS
NEUTRONS/effects on SNAP-8 fuels
radiographic evaluation of
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOGRAPHY
RADIOGRAPHY
INDUSTRIAL/performance of neutron
in examination of irradiated SNAP-8 fuels
REACTORS
SNAP REACTORS
SYSTEMS FOR NUCLEAR AUXILIARY POWER (SNAP-8)/fuel elements for
radiographic examination of irradiated
URANIUM ALLOYS AND SYSTEMS/U-- ZrH
radiation effects on SNAP-8 fuels of
radiographic determination of neutron
ZIRCONIUM HYDRIDES/U--ZrH
radiation effects on SNAP-8 fuels of
radiographic determination of neutron