Apparatus for inspecting fuel elements
This disclosure describes an alpha monitor usable in an automated nuclear fuel pin loading and processing unit. Fuel pins or other elongated pins are fed laterally into the alpha monitor in a singular fashion and are translated by a first roller assembly into a weld flare machining and decontamination substation not forming a part of the invention. Pins return and are lifted upwardly and transferred across to a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means which lifts the pins upwardly into a clamshell electrode assembly which is spread open by a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means. Once inserted the clamshell type electrode arrangement closes around the fuel pins so that inspection can occur. Fuel pins are inspected by charging electrodes to a negative potential and measuring the change in charge occurring when positively charged alpha particles strike the negatively charged electrodes. After inspection, the fuel pins are lowered by the pin lifting and electrode operating means into a second roller assembly which longitudinally conveys approved pins from the airtight enclosure in which the alpha monitor is mounted. If the fuel pins are rejected then they are moved laterally by a second transfer means and onto another system for further processing.
- Research Organization:
- Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76FF02170
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- None
- Application Number:
- ON: DE87007261
- OSTI ID:
- 6462350
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
42 ENGINEERING
420203 -- Engineering-- Handling Equipment & Procedures
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ALPHA DETECTION
AUTOMATION
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARGED PARTICLE DETECTION
COVERINGS
DETECTION
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL PINS
INSPECTION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
RADIATION DETECTION
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REMOTE HANDLING
TRANSURANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM OXIDES