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Title: Method for measurement of TRISO kernel and layer volumes by X-ray computed tomography

Abstract

Layer dimensions are key parameters for as-fabricated tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel as well as for post-irradiation examination of particle performance. Layer thicknesses are typically measured by optical microscopy of the particle cross section near mid-plane, while layer volumes are estimated with serial sectioning and microscopy. This method for measuring layer volumes is limited due to the resolution limit imposed by slice thickness and the effect of the polishing process on delicate irradiated particle microstructures. In this study, image processing software has been developed to segregate the three-dimensional (3D) TRISO particle images provided by x-ray computed tomography (XCT) into high-resolution volumetric data for the kernel, all particle layers, and any internal voids introduced during irradiation. These data can be used to analyze key in-reactor behaviors of TRISO particles such as kernel swelling or buffer shrinkage, which are important inputs for fuel performance modeling.

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1];  [1]; ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
OSTI Identifier:
1649436
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1646731
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of Nuclear Materials
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 539; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; TRISO; XCT; image analysis

Citation Formats

Helmreich, Grant, Richardson, Dylan, Venkatakrishnan, Singanallur, and Ziabari, Amir. Method for measurement of TRISO kernel and layer volumes by X-ray computed tomography. United States: N. p., 2020. Web. doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152255.
Helmreich, Grant, Richardson, Dylan, Venkatakrishnan, Singanallur, & Ziabari, Amir. Method for measurement of TRISO kernel and layer volumes by X-ray computed tomography. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152255
Helmreich, Grant, Richardson, Dylan, Venkatakrishnan, Singanallur, and Ziabari, Amir. Thu . "Method for measurement of TRISO kernel and layer volumes by X-ray computed tomography". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152255. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1649436.
@article{osti_1649436,
title = {Method for measurement of TRISO kernel and layer volumes by X-ray computed tomography},
author = {Helmreich, Grant and Richardson, Dylan and Venkatakrishnan, Singanallur and Ziabari, Amir},
abstractNote = {Layer dimensions are key parameters for as-fabricated tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel as well as for post-irradiation examination of particle performance. Layer thicknesses are typically measured by optical microscopy of the particle cross section near mid-plane, while layer volumes are estimated with serial sectioning and microscopy. This method for measuring layer volumes is limited due to the resolution limit imposed by slice thickness and the effect of the polishing process on delicate irradiated particle microstructures. In this study, image processing software has been developed to segregate the three-dimensional (3D) TRISO particle images provided by x-ray computed tomography (XCT) into high-resolution volumetric data for the kernel, all particle layers, and any internal voids introduced during irradiation. These data can be used to analyze key in-reactor behaviors of TRISO particles such as kernel swelling or buffer shrinkage, which are important inputs for fuel performance modeling.},
doi = {10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152255},
journal = {Journal of Nuclear Materials},
number = 1,
volume = 539,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2020},
month = {Thu Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2020}
}

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