Inspection of domestic nuclear fuel rods using neutron radiography at the Tehran Research Reactor

Mohammad Hosein Choopan Dastjerdi; Hossein Khalafi; Yaser Kasesaz; Amir Movafeghi

doi:10.3139/120.110923

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Inspection of domestic nuclear fuel rods using neutron radiography at the Tehran Research Reactor

Mohammad Hosein Choopan Dastjerdi , Hossein Khalafi , Yaser Kasesaz und Amir Movafeghi

Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 30. August 2016

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Aus der Zeitschrift Materials Testing Band 58 Heft 9

Abstract

Three unused domestic fuel rods were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively by means of thermal neutron radiography. The neutron radiography tests were performed by the image plate method at Tehran research reactor in order to check the fuel properties. The pellets of these three fuel rods contained three different U-235 enrichments and different sizes that were filled into a zircalloy tube. In the qualitative investigations, the difference in size and enrichment between the pellets and the gaps between them were obviously recognized in the image of the fuel rods. In the quantitative investigations, data of the pellets compositions, their sizes (lengths and diameters) and the gaps between them were extracted from obtained images. It was found that the measured data and the manufacturer's specifications are in good agreement.

Kurzfassung

Drei nicht gebrannte Brennstäbe werden mit thermischen Neutronen qualitativ und quantitativ radiographisch untersucht. Die Neutronenradiographie-Untersuchung zur Überprüfung der Brennstoffeigenschaften wurde am Teheraner Forschungsreaktor mit Image Plates durchgeführt. Die Pellets der drei Brennstäbe lagen in drei U-235-Anreicherungsstufen und verschiedenen Größen in Zirkalloy-Rohren vor. In qualitativen Untersuchungen waren in den Abbildungen der Brennstäbe die verschiedenen Größen und Anreicherungen der Pellets und ihre Zwischenräume erkennbar. Für die quantitative Bewertung wurden aus den Radiogrammen die Daten für die Zusammensetzung und die Abmessungen (Länge und Durchmesser) der Pellets sowie deren Lücken entnommenen. Die gemessenen Daten zeigten gute Übereinstimmung mit den Herstellerangaben.

*Correspondence Address, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Choopan Dastjerdi, Reactor Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, End of North Kargar Ave, 1439951113 Tehran, Iran, E-mail: mdastjerdi@aeoi.org.ir

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Choopan Dastjerdi, born in 1984, received his PhD degree in Nuclear Physics from the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran, in 2015. His primary research areas are nuclear reactor engineering, neutron radiography and image processing.

Dr. Hossein Khalafi is full Professor at the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. He received his PhD degree in Nuclear Science and Technology from Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran in 1998. His primary research areas are nuclear reactor engineering, radiation detection and applied radiation.

Dr. Amir Movafeghi is Professor at the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. He received his PhD degree in Nuclear Science and Technology from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran in 2005. His primary research areas are nondestructive testing, radiation safety and radiography.

Dr. Yaser Kasesaz, born in 1980, is Associate Professor at the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. He received his PhD degree in Nuclear Physics from the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran in 2013. His primary research areas are BNCT, nuclear reactor engineering and neutron beam applications.

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Published Online: 2016-08-30

Published in Print: 2016-09-07

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https://doi.org/10.3139/120.110923