Options to Extend the Applicability of High Temperature Irradiation Resistant Thermocouples

Conference · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2007

OSTI ID:920399

Rempe, Joy L; Knudson, Darrell L; Condie, Keith G; Wilkins, S Curtis; Crepeau, John C; Daw, Joshua E; Green, Patrick J

Several options have been identified that could further enhance the reliability and increase the applicability of recently developed Idaho National Laboratory (INL) High Temperature Irradiation Resistant thermocouples (HTIR-TCs) for in-pile testing, allowing their use in higher temperature applications (up to at least 1700 °C). INL and the University of Idaho (UI) are investigating these options with the ultimate objective of providing recommendations for alternate thermocouple designs that are optimized for various applications. This paper reports the status of INL/UI investigations. Results are reported from tests completed to evaluate the ductility, resolution, transient response, and stability of thermocouples made from specially formulated alloys of molybdenum and niobium. In addition, this paper reports preliminary insights gained by comparing the performance of thermocouples fabricated with various heat treatments and alternate geometries.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - NE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-99ID13727
• OSTI ID: 920399
• Report Number(s): INL/CON-07-12334
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ALLOYS
DUCTILITY
HEAT TREATMENTS
High-Temperature Thermocouples
IRRADIATION
In-Pile Instrumentation
Instrumentation
MOLYBDENUM
NIOBIUM
PERFORMANCE
REACTORS
RECOMMENDATIONS
RELIABILITY
RESOLUTION
STABILITY
TESTING
THERMAL HYDRAULICS
THERMOCOUPLES
TRANSIENTS