Feasibility study on application of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for detection & identification of failed fuel pins and sodium–water reaction in fast reactors

Abstract

<p>The first report demonstrating the feasibility of application of LIBS as a multi-gas sensor for cover gas analysis in fast reactors.</p>

Determination of intensity ratios of Nd, Cs, Zr and Sr against U and burn-up in simulated nuclear fuels by LA-ICPMS

“…41 However, only Ar gas was used as a carrier gas in this study, because other laboratories in the same building measured the He amounts. 42 Therefore, use of He along with Ar carrier gas is not attempted in this study.…”

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of metals, chemicals and materials

“…Namitha et al focused on the detection and identification of failed fuel pins and sodium-water reaction in fast reactors using LIBS. 188 The presence of the gaseous fission products Kr and Xe, or He (for He-bonded fuel pins) in the core cover gas indicates fuel pin failure, with H 2 indicating possible sodium–water reactions. Detection of these gases is therefore an important part of safe fast reactor operation.…”

Monitoring Noble Gases (Xe and Kr) and Aerosols (Cs and Rb) in a Molten Salt Reactor Surrogate Off-Gas Stream Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

“…Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a powerful technique capable of monitoring most elements in the periodic table, both stable and radioactive, as well as some molecular signals. [7][8][9][10][11] In a recent study, Namitha et al explored LIBS for detection of gaseous Xe and Kr in the headspace of a sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor to detect fuel pin rupture. 11 Univariate calibration curves were built with calibration samples ranging from 60 parts per billion (ppb) to 3 parts per million (ppm) and from 40 ppb to 2 ppm for Xe and Kr, respectively, in Ar.…”

“…[7][8][9][10][11] In a recent study, Namitha et al explored LIBS for detection of gaseous Xe and Kr in the headspace of a sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor to detect fuel pin rupture. 11 Univariate calibration curves were built with calibration samples ranging from 60 parts per billion (ppb) to 3 parts per million (ppm) and from 40 ppb to 2 ppm for Xe and Kr, respectively, in Ar. They reported the minimum detectable concentration of Xe and Kr to be 30 and 40 ppb, respectively.…”