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1217
Advanced In-pile Instrumentation for
Materials Testing Reactors
J. L. Rempe, D. L. Knudson, J. E. Daw, T. C. Unruh, B. M. Chase, K. L. Davis,
A. J. Palmer, and R. S. SchleyAbstract- The US Department of Energy sponsors the
Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) National Scientific User Facility
(NSUF) program to promote U.S. research in nuclear science
and technology. By attracting new research users - universities,
laboratories, and industry - the ATR NSUF facilitates basic and
applied nuclear research and development, advancing U.S.
energy security needs. A key component of the ATR NSUF effort
is to design, develop, and deploy new in-pile instrumentation
techniques that are capable of providing real-time measurements
of key parameters during irradiation. This paper describes the
strategy developed by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for
identifying instrumentation needed for ATR irradiation tests and
the program initiated to obtain these sensors. New sensors
developed from this effort are identified; and the progress of
other development efforts is summarized. As reported in this
paper, INL staff is currently involved in several tasks to deploy
real-time length and flux detection sensors, and efforts have been
initiated to develop a crack growth test rig. Tasks evaluating
'advanced' technologies, such as fiber-optics based length
detection and ultrasonic thermometers are also underway. In
addition, specialized sensors for real-time detection of
temperature and thermal conductivity are not only being
provided to NSUF reactors, but are also being provided to
several international test reactors.
Index Terms-In-pile detectors, radiation resistant sensors
I. INTRODUCTION
The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) National Scientific User
Facility (NSUF) facilitates basic and applied nuclear
research and development, further advancing U.S. energy
security needs.[1] A key component of the ATR NSUF is to
design, develop, and deploy new in-pile instrumentation
techniques for measuring key parameters during irradiation.
This paper describes the strategy for identifying
instrumentation needed for irradiation tests and the program
initiated to obtain these sensors. New sensors developed from
this effort are identified, and the progress of other
development efforts is summarized.
A. Typical Irradiation Options
The ATR NSUF now includes several Materials Testing
Reactors (MTRs), including the ATR at the Idaho National
Laboratory, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Manuscript received May 26, 2013. Work supported by the U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science, and Technology,
under DOE-NE Idaho Operations Office Contract DE AC07 05ID14517.
J. L. Rempe*, D. L. Knudson, J. E. Daw, T. C. Unruh, B. M. Chase, K. L.
Davis, A. J. Palmer, and R. S. Schley are with the Idaho National Laboratory,
P.O. Box 1625, MS 3840, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415, USA *(phone: 208-526-
2897; fax: 208-526-2930; e-mail: Joy.Rempe@inl.gov).Research Reactor (MITR), the High Flux Isotope Reactor
(HFIR) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and
the PULSAR reactor at North Carolina State University [1].
Each MTR design differs dramatically. However, typical
MTR irradiation options are listed below with typical types of
instrumentation that can be included in each option.
- Static Capsules - These capsules may be used to irradiate
samples or engineered components. Static capsule experiments
may be sealed or may contain material that can be in contact
with MTR primary coolant (such capsules are in an open
configuration without being sealed). Instrumentation in such
irradiation locations is currently limited to sensors that detect
peak temperature or neutron fluence.
- Instrumented Lead Experiments - In these locations,
experiments can have instrumentation, such as thermocouples,
connected to individual capsules or single specimens. This
instrumentation can be used to measure and control conditions
within the capsule. In addition to thermocouples for
monitoring temperature, sensors can monitor the gas around
the test specimen. In a fueled experiment, the presence of
fission gases due to fuel failures or oxidation can be detected
via gas chromatography or by gamma spectrometry of
temperature control gases exiting the capsules. Leads
extending from sensors in these locations allow real time
display of experimental parameters on control consoles.
- Pressurized Water Loop Experiments - Many MTRs have
flux traps equipped with pressurized water loops for fuels and
materials testing. These water loops can be operated at
different temperatures, pressures, flow rates, and water
chemistry conditions. Often, these loops operate at or above
the standard temperature and pressure of commercial
pressurized water reactor (PWR) or boiling water reactor
(BWR) power conditions. Water loops can be instrumented
to measure and control coolant flows, temperatures, pressures,
and other parameters.
- Hydraulic Shuttle Irradiation System (HSIS) - The ATR
HSIS is a hydraulic "rabbit" and enables rapid insertion and
removal of experiment specimens while an MTR is operating.
Instrumentation in a rabbit, such as the ATR HSIS, is limited
to sensors that detect peak temperature or neutron fluence.
The 250 MWth ATR includes all of the above irradiation
options and offers a maximum unperturbed thermal neutron
flux of 1 x1015 n/cm2-s and a maximum fast neutron flux of
5 x 1014 n/cm2-s. The HFIR and MITR also offer several
high flux irradiation test positions. With additional in-pile1
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Rempe, Joy L.; Knudson, Darrell L.; Daw, Joshua E.; Unruh, T. C.; Chase, B. M.; Davis, K. L. et al. Advanced in-Pile Instrumentation for Materials Tes, article, June 1, 2013; Idaho Falls, Idaho. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc830012/m1/2/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.