Nondestructive Nuclear Fuel Examination System

An advanced nondestructive examination system is sought to evaluate the geometric and compositional characteristics of transient nuclear fuel, and to detect failed cladding and fragmented fuel pellets, fuel burn-up distribution, fuel location identification, and nonfuel component geometry. To address these needs, development of an innovative high-energy Compton imaging tomography system for transient testing of nuclear fuel is proposed, based on further development of previously patented Compton imaging tomography providing precise three- dimensional reconstruction of the internal structure of nuclear fuel /assemblies during transient testing. This device can not only detect all internal features of nuclear fuel components and structures such as failed cladding and fragmented fuel pellets, but it can also accurately define their three-dimensional shapes and positions. The process of nondestructive evaluation can be done in situ, with one-sided access to the object. All of these make this device promising also for future combination with neutron imaging to develop a combined highly efficient nondestructive evaluation system. The work will include definition of the possible and most suitable application scenarios for the device for transient nuclear fuel testing. At the end of Phase I, the feasibility of the device will be demonstrated in laboratory experiments with artificial samples of an imitation structure of nuclear fuel rods/assemblies using a benchtop prototype designed and developed in Phase I. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The proposed device not only meets the need for accurate nondestructive evaluation of transient nuclear fuel in high-radiation environments, but also can be used for similar purposes in many industrial applications, from current and future nuclear reactor structures to gas turbines, pipelines, aircraft, spacecraft, heavy machines, bridges, etc. The device suffers no limitations regarding the internal structure and geometry of investigated objects, nor any limitation on the size of the objects.