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

Method of locating a leaking fuel element in a fast breeder power reactor

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6660522
Leaking fuel elements in a fast reactor are identified by measuring the ratio of /sup 134/Xe to /sup 133/Xe in the reactor cover gas following detection of a fuel element leak, this ratio being indicative of the power and burnup of the failed fuel element. This procedure can be used to identify leaking fuel elements in a power breeder reactor while continuing operation of the reactor since the ratio measured is that of the gases stored in the plenum of the failed fuel element. Thus, use of a cleanup system for the cover gas makes it possible to identify sequentially a multiplicity of leaking fuel elements without shutting the reactor down.
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
Patent Number(s):
US 4080250
OSTI ID:
6660522
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English