A Compact and portable laser Ultrasound Visualization Tool for Non-destructive Evaluation of Nuclear Reactor Components

To ensure safe and reliable power production by nuclear power plants, a wide variety of materials and components need to undergo inspections and maintenances at pre-determined intervals. Condition based maintenance is highly desirable because it can potentially avoid unnecessarily costly maintenance actions and associated error induced failures. Consequently, it can help achieve nearly all the maintenance targets concerning safety, reliability and cost. To fulfill this goal, AlphaSense proposes to develop a compact and portable laser ultrasound visualization tool for non-destructive evaluation of key nuclear reactor materials and components. If successful, the proposed technology will advance the state of the art in the non- destructive evaluations of materials and components used in nuclear reactors. The proposed sensor will be a powerful quality assurance tool under both manufacturing and in-service conditions of nuclear reactor materials and components. The depolyment of the sensor in the field can significantly improve the safety of the workers and the public members near the nuclear power generation facilities by detecting defects and damages in the nuclear reactor components in an early stage.