Measurement of nuclear fuel pin hydriding utilizing epithermal neutron scattering

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:436857

Miller, W H ^[1]; Farkas, D M; Lutz, D R ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)
2. General Electric Co., Pleasanton, CA (United States)

The measurement of hydrogen or zirconium hydriding in fuel cladding has long been of interest to the nuclear power industry. The detection of this hydrogen currently requires either destructive analysis (with sensitivities down to 1 {mu}g/g) or nondestructive thermal neutron radiography (with sensitivities on the order of a few weight percent). The detection of hydrogen in metals can also be determined by measuring the slowing down of neutrons as they collide and rapidly lose energy via scattering with hydrogen. This phenomenon is the basis for the {open_quotes}notched neutron spectrum{close_quotes} technique, also referred to as the Hysen method. This technique has been improved with the {open_quotes}modified{close_quotes} notched neutron spectrum technique that has demonstrated detection of hydrogen below 1 {mu}g/g in steel. The technique is nondestructive and can be used on radioactive materials. It is proposed that this technique be applied to the measurement of hydriding in zirconium fuel pins. This paper summarizes a method for such measurements.

• OSTI ID: 436857
• Report Number(s): CONF-9606116--
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 74; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
66 PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CLADDING
DETECTION
ENERGY LOSSES
FUEL PINS
HYDROGEN
NEUTRON FLUX
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
SCATTERING
SENSITIVITY
SLOWING-DOWN
ZIRCONIUM