Fast-neutron hodoscope at TREAT: data processing, analysis, and results

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1976 · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7138286

De Volpi, A; Stewart, R R; Regis, J P; Stanford, G S; Rhodes, E A

The fast-neutron hodoscope at the Transient Reactor Test Facility is designed for the determination of fuel motion during the course of brief (0.1- to 30-sec) power transients. During the course of a transient test, data must be recorded from each of 334 hodoscope channels at count rates up to 2 million/sec each, down to millisecond time intervals. This is accomplished in a relatively reliable and inexpensive manner by displaying counts from each detector sequentially in binary code on a lamp panel, which is photographed by a high-speed framing camera, producing a film record of the transient test. After chemical development, the film is examined by a computer-controlled flying-spot scanner, and the position and density of candidate lamp images are recorded on magnetic tape. Through further computer processing, these images are sorted and decoded, and the count rate is recovered for each detector at each instant of collection time. A cathode-ray tube and a plotter, both computer controlled, are used to recreate and analyze the fuel motion history of the experiment. Analysis is directed toward fuel distortion or expansion prior to clad failure, slumping, dispersion, amount and rates of movement, post-scram relocation, and ultimate disposition of fuel.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL
• OSTI ID: 7138286
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 30:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
TREAT REACTOR
HODOSCOPES
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DESIGN
FAST NEUTRONS
REACTOR EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES
AIR COOLED REACTORS
BARYONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
EXPERIMENTAL REACTORS
FERMIONS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
HADRONS
HOMOGENEOUS REACTORS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
SOLID HOMOGENEOUS REACTORS
TEST REACTORS
THERMAL REACTORS
220600* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Research
Test & Experimental Reactors