Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Neutron Computerized Tomography (CT) of the non-irradiated fuel rod

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

E. Nazemi 1
A. Movafeghi 1
B. Rokrok 1
M. Dinca 2
M.H. Choopan Dastjerdi 1

1 Reactor and Nuclear Safety Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, P.O.Box: 14155-1339, Tehran - Iran

2 Institute for Nuclear Research (INR), Mioveni -Romania

https://doi.org/10.24200/nst.2021.1170
Abstract
Due to the special and difficult conditions for the fuel rods inside the reactor core, inspection and quality control of the fuel after the production at the factory and before loading in the core of the reactor is essential. This process is carried out using various non-destructive tests. Generally, neutron radiography is one of the most important non-destructive tools for fresh fuel inspection. In the present work, neutron computerized tomography (CT) of a depleted TRIGA fuel rod is investigated using a digital detection system which includes a scintillator screen, a mirror, and a CCD camera. The experiments were performed in the INUS neutron radiography facility. The results show that the structure and components of the fuel rod such, as pellets and springs, are well visible by using the neutron tomography technique and it can be utilized for precise investigation of the fuel rod’s structure after production at the factory.

Highlights

1. E.H. Lehmann, P. Vontobel, A. Hermann, Non-destructive analysis of nuclear fuel by means of thermal and cold neutrons, NUCL. INSTRUM. METH. A., 515, 745-759 (2003).
 
2. S. Casalta, et al, Digital image analysis of X-ray and neutron radiography for the inspection and the monitoring of nuclear materials, NDT&E. INT., 36(5), 349-355 (2003).

 

3. R. Yasuda, et al, Application of neutron imaging plate and neutron CT methods on nuclear fuels and materials, IEEE. T. NUCL. SCI., 52, 313-316 (2005).
 
4. M.H. Choopan Dastjerdi, Examination of domestic nuclear fuel by design and construction of a new neutron radiography system at Tehran Research Reactor, Nuclear Science and Technologry Research Intitute, Iran, Ph.D. Thesis (2016) (In Persian).
 
5. M.H.C. Dastjerdi, et al, Inspection of domestic nuclear fuel rods using neutron radiography at the Tehran Research Reactor, MATER. TEST., 58, 763-766 (2016).
 
6. M. Dinca, Status of the Imaging Facility INUS at INR, Physcs. Proc., 88, 167-174 (2017).
 
7. M. Dinca, M. Pavelescu, C. Iorgulis, Collimated neutron beam for neutron radiography, Rom. Journ. Phys., 51, 535-544 (2006).

 

Keywords

Neutron CT
Fuel rod
Non-destructive test
Radiography
TRIGA reactor
1. E.H. Lehmann, P. Vontobel, A. Hermann, Non-destructive analysis of nuclear fuel by means of thermal and cold neutrons, NUCL. INSTRUM. METH. A., 515, 745-759 (2003).
 
2. S. Casalta, et al, Digital image analysis of X-ray and neutron radiography for the inspection and the monitoring of nuclear materials, NDT&E. INT., 36(5), 349-355 (2003).
 
3. R. Yasuda, et al, Application of neutron imaging plate and neutron CT methods on nuclear fuels and materials, IEEE. T. NUCL. SCI., 52, 313-316 (2005).
 
4. M.H. Choopan Dastjerdi, Examination of domestic nuclear fuel by design and construction of a new neutron radiography system at Tehran Research Reactor, Nuclear Science and Technologry Research Intitute, Iran, Ph.D. Thesis (2016) (In Persian).
 
5. M.H.C. Dastjerdi, et al, Inspection of domestic nuclear fuel rods using neutron radiography at the Tehran Research Reactor, MATER. TEST., 58, 763-766 (2016).
 
6. M. Dinca, Status of the Imaging Facility INUS at INR, Physcs. Proc., 88, 167-174 (2017).
 
7. M. Dinca, M. Pavelescu, C. Iorgulis, Collimated neutron beam for neutron radiography, Rom. Journ. Phys., 51, 535-544 (2006).
 

Home