Visual and Profilometric Fuel Rod Inspection

GENERAL INFO ABOUT PROJECT

Problem Definition
Current inspection of nuclear fuel cells requires the use of cumbersome hot cells. INL is investigating an alternative process for inspecting these fuel cells that can be located closer reactor sites and does not require a dedicated building for operation. Our task is to develop segments of this process that will perform non-destructive profilometric and visual inspection of irradiated test specimens. The processes must be fast and easily serviceable while maintaining a high level of fidelity and flexibility.

Background
Inspection of nuclear fuel rods via current methods is quite cumbersome. Irradiated materials must be transported to an examination facility such as INL's HFEF. There, the fuel is inspected inside hot cells, large led lined rooms with argon atmospheres were technicians must use robot arms to interact with the material. It is difficult to implement new inspection solutions within this testing environment due to the long testing time. It is expensive to test and to improve testing methods. INL is devising a new instrument for inspecting materials known as the Modular Examination Instrument for Transportable Nuclear Energy Research (MEITNER). This device is a modular stack of examination equipment that can simultaneously inspect materials via non destructive, non contact measurements.

Deliverables
Our mission in this project is to develop the modular test cells that perform the functions of profilometry and visual inspection. These cells must be capable of taking accurate measurements under the stress of radiation. The cells must be easy to service and operate remotely.

Concept and Design
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Document Archive
[[Media: ClientInterview1.pdf|First Client Interview]] [[Media: .pdf|All Meeting Minutes]]