Fuel Rod Defect Detection

Our client, Idaho National Laboratory (INL), proposed the design project for, "Dimensional Inspection and Defect Identification for Nuclear Fuels". As such, we shall identify the engineering specifications & needs of the project, design, prototype, test, and finally build & deliver a finished product and all accompanying documentation.

Background
INL has been performing safety testing on nuclear fuels for many years, as can be seen in the [[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_SPERT_Tests_Summary.pdf|SPERT Tests Summary]]. The outcome of the testing is that the fuel rods are often damage, sometimes severely and sometimes only subtly. When the damage is particularly subtle, it can at times be difficult to detect with a purely visual inspection. As such, a reliable method of defect detection in the fuel rods is needed.

Design Goals

 * Detect defects in micro nuclear fuel rods (rodlets) utilizing thermal (infrared) imaging and optical (non-contact) profilometry
 * Integrate all testing equipment into a test bench
 * Design and develop an efficient and effective method to present the data gathered
 * Provide ample documention of the design process and methodology of test bench use

Specifications

 * Example

Project Learning
Example paragraph.

Testing
Example paragraph.

Final Concept
Example paragraph.

Technology and Software

 * FLIR Infrared imaging system
 * ___ optical profilometer
 * MATLAB
 * Etc.

Documents Archive
[[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_SPERT_Tests_Summary.pdf|INL SPERT Tests Summary]]