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.

Project Learning
''Most of the project learning for the integrated rocket ramjet revolved around ramjets and their functionality, as well as solid rockets and how to design them. For this design, in order to get the ramjet to speed a solid rocket will be attached to the ramjet engine. Once the propellant is burned, the rocket will function as the combustion chamber for the ramjet. To make this design possible, research had to be done on both rocket propellants and ramjet engines. ''

''The image on the left below shows different grain geometries for solid rocket propellant. This was useful because it helped us decide which geometry would give us the best thrust pattern to obtain the proper transition speed. We ultimately decided to go with #2, this option provided the rocket with consistent thrust which allows for easier calculations and design.''

''Along with propellant research we found information on the functionality of the ramjet. Below on the right is a basic image on how a ramjet operates. Using this information we were able to brainstorm ideas on how to create a moving nosecone and where to store the liquid fuel for the ramjet part of flight. We found the best place to store the liquid fuel would be in the extra space by the diffuser (the yellow section of the image).''

Concept and Design
''To get the Ramjet to its ideal flight path, solid rocket propellant is stored in the ramjet’s combustion chamber and functions initially as a rocket booster. During this stage the nose cone to the ramjet engine will remain shut and a diaphragm will be in place to block any solid propellant from getting into the rest of the engine (this can be seen in the first image below). ''

''Once the solid propellant is burnt, the nose cone and diaphragm open up allowing the ramjet to begin operation. This part of the design is important because it allows for the whole body to become the ramjet, and does not require the rocket portion to drop off. Instead the space where the solid rocket propellant was stored is now the combustion chamber for the ramjet. The ramjet then takes over for the rest of the flight, operating at its design conditions (this can be seen in the second image below).''

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