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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Light Water Breeder Reactor module and rod examination systems (LWBR Development Program)

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5655371
After successfully operating for 29,047 effective full power hours at the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the Light Water Breeder Reactor core fuel modules were shipped to the Expended Core Facility in Idaho for further disassembly and examination. This report presents a description of the remote, underwater measuring equipment used to perform examinations on fuel modules and nondestructive examinations of fuel rods. The module examinations consisted of an as-received visual examination, bow measurement, and in-bundle rod bow and gap measurement of as-received and partially derodded modules. The nondestructive rod examinations performed were length measurement, visual examination, free hanging bow measurement, diameter measurement, oxide thickness measurement, cladding defect examination, plenum ovality measurements, and wear mark depth and volume measurement. Qualification of the equipment to confirm that all measurement requirements were met is also discussed. Equipment qualification and operation has shown the module bow measurements were accurate within +-0.005 inch, and fuel rod diameter, plenum ovality, and wear mark characterization were accurate within +-0.0002 inch.
Research Organization:
Bettis Atomic Power Lab., West Mifflin, PA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC11-76PN00014
OSTI ID:
5655371
Report Number(s):
WAPD-TM-1610; ON: DE88006587
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English