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

Patent · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:863037

Honekamp, John R ^[1]; Fryer, Richard M ^[2]

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1. Downers Grove, IL
2. Idaho Falls, ID

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.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4080250
• OSTI ID: 863037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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