Abstract
Westinghouse is developing an In-Rod Sensor (IRS) System [1, 2] capable of measuring critical fuel rod parameters such as center-line fuel temperature, rod internal pressure and axial fuel pellet stack elongation without having penetrations to the fuel rod. The technology is similar to the Halden Reactor instrumentation [3], but the IRS system focuses on commercial fuel rod instrumentation. Both systems circumvent fuel rod penetrations, however the IRS system overcomes unique geometric challenges found in commercial fuel rod assemblies. The IRS could also play a key role in accelerated fuel qualification by allowing real-time measurements during separate effects tests, integral fuel testing or during irradiation of lead test rods or lead test assemblies. Combining these measurements with data acquired from targeted separate effects testing and multi-scale modelling could significantly reduce the time required to qualify new fuel and reduce the safety margin uncertainty of operating plants. The IRS is actively in development for Light Water Reactors (LWR) based fuel assemblies but can also be applied to Gen IV reactor designs with minimal modifications.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of 13th Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control and Human-Machine Interface Technologies, NPIC and HMIT 2023 |
| Publisher | American Nuclear Society |
| Pages | 8-20 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780894487910 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2023 |
| Event | 13th Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control and Human-Machine Interface Technologies, NPIC and HMIT 2023 - Knoxville, United States Duration: Jul 15 2023 → Jul 20 2023 |
Publication series
| Name | Proceedings of 13th Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control and Human-Machine Interface Technologies, NPIC and HMIT 2023 |
|---|
Conference
| Conference | 13th Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control and Human-Machine Interface Technologies, NPIC and HMIT 2023 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Knoxville |
| Period | 07/15/23 → 07/20/23 |
Funding
This research was enabled by funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy under Award Number DE-NE0009033. Experimental testing in HFIR was supported by the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s Nuclear Science User Facilities Program. Neutron irradiation in HFIR was made possible by the Office of Science, US DOE. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither th e United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. This research was enabled by funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy under Award Number DE-NE0009033. Experimental testing in HFIR was supported by the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s Nuclear Science User Facilities Program. Neutron irradiation in HFIR was made possible by the Office of Science, US DOE. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.
Keywords
- AFQ
- Fuel sensor
- fuel qualification
- wireless