NSUF 16-616: Ultrasonic Measurements for Post-irradiation Characterization of (U,Zr)H1.6
The objective of this work is to develop and evaluate ultrasonic nondestructive measurements of backscatter, sound speed and attenuation for sensitivity to microcracking, porosity, and debonding in irradiated (U,Zr)H1.6 fuel. Ultrasonic measurements are sensitive to material microstructure changes and are used for characterizing cracking in nuclear power plants as well as for detecting the presence of inclusions in fine-grained and coarse-grained materials. Recently, several authors have proposed the use of ultrasonic measurements for characterizing microstructure in irradiated fuels, but these studies have been limited in terms of the types of fuels examined and the conditions under which the fuels were irradiated. This RTE proposal is focused on examining whether these recent successes in the use of ultrasound are applicable to Uranium-Zirconium-Hydride fuels, and whether they can provide the necessary sensitivity to detect changes in microstructure in these fuels. The proposal takes advantage of a window of opportunity when unirradiated and irradiated samples of nominally (U,Zr)H1.6 fuel are available at the partner NSUF facility. The proposed research will focus on performing preliminary proof-of-concept studies for determining the effects of microstructural changes in these irradiated fuel samples on ultrasonic energy and correlating these effects using data from classical PIE approaches (SEM, OM). Ultrasonic measurements on irradiated and unirradiated samples will be performed using COTS instrumentation, and the data augmented with available PIE measurements. Correlative analysis between the PIE data and the ultrasonic measurements will help determine technical gaps that will need to be addressed prior to the use of ultrasonic nondestructive measurements for such post-irradiation characterization. If successful, the project will: (1) result in preliminary evaluation of the ability to use nondestructive methods for irradiated fuel microstructure characterization for U-Zr-H fuels in an in-cell or bench-top setting; and (2) lead to an identification of technical gaps that need to be resolved prior to larger-scale studies (both bench-top and in-pile) of the viability of such nondestructive measurements for fuel microstructure characterization. The proposed work is expected to take 6 months for completion (beginning January 1 2016, assuming an award determination date of November 30, 2015), with the results of this study documented in a journal submission.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The objective of this work is to develop and evaluate ultrasonic nondestructive measurements of backscatter, sound speed and attenuation for sensitivity to microcracking, porosity, and debonding in irradiated (U,Zr)H1.6 fuel. Ultrasonic measurements are sensitive to material microstructure changes and are used for characterizing cracking in nuclear power plants as well as for detecting the presence of inclusions in fine-grained and coarse-grained materials. Recently, several authors have proposed the use of ultrasonic measurements for characterizing microstructure in irradiated fuels, but these studies have been limited in terms of the types of fuels examined and the conditions under which the fuels were irradiated. This RTE proposal is focused on examining whether these recent successes in the use of ultrasound are applicable to Uranium-Zirconium-Hydride fuels, and whether they can provide the necessary sensitivity to detect changes in microstructure in these fuels. The proposal takes advantage of a window of opportunity when unirradiated and irradiated samples of nominally (U,Zr)H1.6 fuel are available at the partner NSUF facility. The proposed research will focus on performing preliminary proof-of-concept studies for determining the effects of microstructural changes in these irradiated fuel samples on ultrasonic energy and correlating these effects using data from classical PIE approaches (SEM, OM). Ultrasonic measurements on irradiated and unirradiated samples will be performed using COTS instrumentation, and the data augmented with available PIE measurements. Correlative analysis between the PIE data and the ultrasonic measurements will help determine technical gaps that will need to be addressed prior to the use of ultrasonic nondestructive measurements for such post-irradiation characterization. If successful, the project will: (1) result in preliminary evaluation of the ability to use nondestructive methods for irradiated fuel microstructure characterization for U-Zr-H fuels in an in-cell or bench-top setting; and (2) lead to an identification of technical gaps that need to be resolved prior to larger-scale studies (both bench-top and in-pile) of the viability of such nondestructive measurements for fuel microstructure characterization. The proposed work is expected to take 6 months for completion (beginning January 1 2016, assuming an award determination date of November 30, 2015), with the results of this study documented in a journal submission. |
| Award Announced Date | 2015-12-16T00:00:00 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Stuart Maloy |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Pradeep Ramuhalli |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 616 |