Fuel Rod Defect Detection

Our client, Idaho National Laboratory (INL), proposed the design project for "Dimensional Inspection and Defect Identification for Nuclear Fuels". The goal of this project is to create a test bench that facilitates the inspection of irradiated nuclear fuel rods, identifying and characterizing external as well as internal defects. The two primary methods to be used for this inspection are thermal imaging and optical profilometry.

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 damaged, 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

Project Learning

 * Preliminary thermal camera testing:
 * We learned that heat tends to flow toward towards the regions where stress concentrations would occur.
 * Further investigation:
 * Differential heating due to internal geometries can be resolved through a thin-walled tube such as the ones the fuel rods utilize.

Optical Profilometers
We have concluded that the Novacam is the more flexible alternative, and have recommended it for purchase.

Technology and Software

 * FLIR Infrared imaging system
 * Optical profilometry
 * MATLAB

Meeting Minutes

 * [[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_Sep16_2014_Minutes.pdf|September 16, 2014]]


 * [[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_Sep30_2014_Minutes.pdf|September 30, 2014]]


 * [[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_Oct7_2014_Minutes.pdf|October 7, 2014]]


 * [[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_Oct28_2014_Minutes.pdf|October 28, 2014]]


 * [[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_Nov6_2014_Minutes.pdf|November 6, 2014]]


 * [[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_Nov13_2014_Minutes.pdf|November 13, 2014]]

Other
Project Timeline

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

[[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_Profilometer_Research_Summary.pdf|Profilometer Research Summary]]

[[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_Team_Contract.pdf|Team Contract]]

[[Media:2014_FuelRodDefectDetection_Design_Review.pdf|Design Review (November 21, 2014)]]