Neutron tomography of damaged fuel assemblies

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6719191

McClellan, G C; Tow, D M

Neutron tomography is a three-dimensional imaging technique developed at Argonne National Laboratory's Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) for use in the nondestructive evaluation of reactor fuel assemblies, including those deliberately damaged to simulate accident conditions. Such damaged fuel assemblies are typically irradiated under abnormally severe conditions, resulting in cladding melting and fuel dispersion. This neutron tomography capability is the result of a cooperative effort between Argonne National Laboratory-West and EG and G Idaho, Inc., which are both located at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). Neutron tomography consists of the following basic steps: (a) neutron radiographs are made of the fuel assembly at many angles, (b) these radiographs are then digitized to convert the film density data to digital data, and (c) the digital data set is then used to produce computer-generated cross-sectional representations of the assembly. These cross-sectional images can be generated at any desired axial location and provide early assessment of fuel assembly damage and failure mechanisms without risking displacement of the internal components by cutting. In fact, neutron tomography reduces or even eliminates the need to conduct costly and time-consuming destructive examination of the assemblies.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL
• OSTI ID: 6719191
• Report Number(s): CONF-861102-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 53
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
42 ENGINEERING
420500* -- Engineering-- Materials Testing
ACCIDENTS
ANL
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENT FAILURE
IDAHO NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
IMAGE PROCESSING
INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEUTRON RADIOGRAPHY
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
PROCESSING
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
SIMULATION
TESTING
TOMOGRAPHY
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS