Non-destructive analysis of nuclear fuel by means of thermal and cold neutrons

Experience of the Indirect Neutron Radiography Method Based on the X-ray Imaging Plate at CARR

“…The quantitative testing of the hydrogen content in the cladding has been paid much attention (Lehmann et al, 2003). The unique advantage of using the IP in the INR experiment is that more accurate quantitative analysis results can be achieved for larger linear dynamic range compared with using films.…”

“…Fig.6 shows the schematic view of the neutron beam transmission through the dummy nuclear fuel rod with tapes. When the fuel rod was exposed in the neutron beam, the transmitted neutron intensity, I, can be given by (Hardt et al, 1996;Lehmann et al, 2003):…”

“…6. Model of the dummy nuclear fuel rod simulating the hydrogen accumulation in the cladding (bird view), and the schematic view of the neutron beam transmission through the dummy nuclear fuel rod (Lehmann et al, 2003).…”

“…Recently, the quantitative measurements of irradiated nuclear fuel rods were required, such as the content of hydrogen accumulation in the cladding and the U-235 enrichment of the pellet . A comparison of X-ray film and X-ray Imaging Plate (IP) used as the detection system on the set-up of NEUTRA at Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) were described in Table 1 (Lehmann et al, 2003). The IP was introduced into the INR method to replace the film, for the following advantages (Lehmann et al, 2003;Thoms, 1999;Yasuda et al, 2005;Chankow et al, 2010):…”

“…Properties of the X-ray film and the IP used as the detection system for digital neutron imaging purposes (Lehmann et al, 2003) Detection system X-ray film and transmission light scanner Imaging plates…”