In Situ Neutron Radiography Investigations of Hydrogen Related Processes in Zirconium Alloys

Abstract

In situ neutron radiography experiments can provide information about diffusive processes and the kinetics of chemical reactions. The paper discusses requirements for such investigations. As examples of the zirconium alloy Zircaloy-4, the hydrogen diffusion, the hydrogen uptake during high-temperature oxidation in steam, and the reaction in nitrogen/steam and air/steam atmospheres, results of in situ neutron radiography investigations are reviewed, and their benefit is discussed.

Special Issue Advances in Neutron Imaging

“…A collaboration of two German imaging groups, one from Karlsruhe and one from Munich, with the Swiss imaging group investigated very detailed hydrogen-related processes in zirconium alloys by neutron radiography [5]. A promising approach was submitted by a Japanese collaboration, applying machine learning methods to neutron transmission spectroscopic imaging to solid-liquid phase fraction analysis [6].…”