Sample container for high-resolution neutron imaging of spent nuclear fuel cladding sections

Trtik, Pavel; Zubler, Robert; Gong, Weijia; Grabherr, Robin; Bertsch, Johannes; Duarte, Liliana I.

doi:10.1063/1.5143226

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…5 bottom right) suggests that no areas of inhomogeneous hydrides accumulation were present in the radioactive target rod. This is consistent with the recent results based on the high-resolution neutron imaging [28,29] of SINQ target rod material [30]. As much as this diminishes the concerns about the extent of the local embrittlement, the large area of the rod fully filled with the lead together with the observed increase in the rod's thickness in its centre part gives reasons for safety concerns [7].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Neutron tomography of a highly irradiated spallation target rod

Trtik

Welte

Yetik

et al. 2022

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

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We performed tomographic investigation of the most heavily perturbed (thus highly radioactive) rod and its pristine/unirradiated replicate from the target No. 12 of the Swiss neutron spallation source (SINQ). The tomographic dataset reveals the 3D re-distribution of the lead filling inside the irradiated Zircaloy tube. The change in the linear attenuation coefficient of both the lead filling and the Zircaloy tube of the irradiated rod (due to the presence of the entrapped spallation products) in comparison with the pristine/unirradiated material is quantified. The dataset provides valuable input for the enhancement of safety and efficiency of future spallation targets at SINQ.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Neutron tomography of a highly irradiated spallation target rod

Trtik

Welte

Yetik

et al. 2022

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

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“…Samples with limited dimensions and radioactivity such as defueled cladding sections can also be investigated with the neutron microscope detector [ 16 ] at the SINQ beamlines, using the recently developed Active Box sample container [ 17 ]. This box ensures the contamination free transport and installation at the beam line.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

NEURAP—A Dedicated Neutron-Imaging Facility for Highly Radioactive Samples

et al. 2021

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NEURAP is a dedicated set-up at the Swiss neutron spallation source (SINQ) at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), optionally implemented as a special configuration of the neutron-imaging station NEUTRA. It is one of very few instrumentations available worldwide enabling neutron-imaging of highly radioactive samples to be performed routinely, with special precautions and following a specific procedure. Since the relevant objects are strong γ-sources, dedicated techniques are needed to handle the samples and to perform neutron-imaging despite the radiation background. Dysprosium (Dy)-loaded imaging plates, effectively made sensitive to neutrons only, are employed. Neutrons are captured by Dy during neutron irradiation. Then the imaging plate is erased removing gamma detections. A subsequent relatively long self-exposure by the radiation from the intrinsic neutron-activated Dy within the imaging plate yields the neutron-only radiograph that is finally read out. During more than 20 years of NEURAP operation, images have been obtained for two major applications: (a) highly radioactive SINQ target components were investigated after long-term operation life; and (b) spent fuel rods and their cladding from Swiss nuclear power plants were characterized. Quantitative analysis of the image data demonstrated the accumulation of spallation products in the lead filled “Cannelloni” Zircaloy tubes of the SINQ target and the aggregation of hydrogen at specific sites in used fuel pins of power plants and their cladding, respectively. These results continue to help understanding material degradation and optimizing the operational regimes, which might lead to extending the safe lifetimes of these components.

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