Leaker B.W.R. spent fuel elements: Radiochemical analysis on cover gases of storage containers after long storage
- ENEL SPA, Rome (Italy)
- Fiat Sepin, Turin (Italy)
- Fiat CIEI, Turin (Italy)
Very few examples of non-destructive tests are available concerning of spent nuclear fuel elements after long period of dry storage under water. In Italy ENEL and FIAT CIEI performed two test campaigns in 1990 and 1991 at the pool storage facility AVOGADRO of Saluggia, aimed to investigate the condition of leaker B.W.R. fuel elements, dry-sealed into storage containers and stored under water since 1984. Radiochemical analyses were conducted on samples of the container`s cover gases by means of ``PSEUDO-SIPPING`` methods, with the following objectives: measurements of percentage of moisture radiolysis born hydrogen, detection of the possible presence of explosive mixtures; measurements of Kr 85 activity, verification of the behavior of cladding leaks. Results confirmed either the absence of dangerous quantities of radiolysis hydrogen, or a general increase of Kr 85 activity, compared with data coming from checks performed at the reactor site before fuel insertion into the storage containers. Cladding leaks at first were probably increased by transport conditions of spent fuel, dry-placed into shipping casks, and later on they were stabilized by the immersion in the pool cold water.
- OSTI ID:
- 100802
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930906-; ISBN 0-7918-0691-X; TRN: 95:019608
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: `93 international conference on nuclear waste management and environmental remediation, Prague (Czech Republic), 5-11 Sep 1993; Other Information: PBD: 1993; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 1993 international conference on nuclear waste management and environmental remediation. Volume 1: Low and intermediate level radioactive waste management; Alexandre, D.; Baker, R.; Kohout, R.; Marek, J. [eds.]; PB: 776 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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