NSUF 22-4428: Characterization of Irradiation Effects on the Electrical Resistance of Tungsten
Temperature measurements in excess of 2000℃ are limited to a handful of applicable technologies. Nuclear systems with such temperatures are further limited by the materials that are capable of surviving the temperature and radiation of the system. Tungsten-rhenium alloy thermocouples are commonly used in such applications, but experience calibration drift due to neutron exposure. For remote, high temperature nuclear systems the use of a material that transmutes during reactor operation is undesirable. A measurement technique such as Johnson noise thermometry would account for such drift but requires a resistive element or resistance thermometer to operate. As such, a tungsten resistance thermometer is being evaluated for use in nuclear thermal rocket systems. While the usage of Johnson noise thermometry should account for radiation induced calibration drift, the effects of radiation on the electrical resistance of a tungsten resistance thermometer need to be understood. Tungsten appears to be a viable material for the desired application, but the material requires further evaluation. Additionally, understanding the effects of radiation will aid in the evaluation of the instrument’s potential to operate without the use of a noise thermometry recalibration system. This will allow for the production of a new high temperature measurement device to improve diversity in measurement. During the course of the irradiation at the Ohio State University Research Reactor, 4 tungsten resistor samples will be irradiated to a thermal neutron fluence that is comparable to nuclear thermal rocket systems. The electrical resistance will be continuously monitored via a 4-wire measurement, with gamma heating accounted for via thermal simulations.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Temperature measurements in excess of 2000℃ are limited to a handful of applicable technologies. Nuclear systems with such temperatures are further limited by the materials that are capable of surviving the temperature and radiation of the system. Tungsten-rhenium alloy thermocouples are commonly used in such applications, but experience calibration drift due to neutron exposure. For remote, high temperature nuclear systems the use of a material that transmutes during reactor operation is undesirable. A measurement technique such as Johnson noise thermometry would account for such drift but requires a resistive element or resistance thermometer to operate. As such, a tungsten resistance thermometer is being evaluated for use in nuclear thermal rocket systems. While the usage of Johnson noise thermometry should account for radiation induced calibration drift, the effects of radiation on the electrical resistance of a tungsten resistance thermometer need to be understood. Tungsten appears to be a viable material for the desired application, but the material requires further evaluation. Additionally, understanding the effects of radiation will aid in the evaluation of the instrument’s potential to operate without the use of a noise thermometry recalibration system. This will allow for the production of a new high temperature measurement device to improve diversity in measurement. During the course of the irradiation at the Ohio State University Research Reactor, 4 tungsten resistor samples will be irradiated to a thermal neutron fluence that is comparable to nuclear thermal rocket systems. The electrical resistance will be continuously monitored via a 4-wire measurement, with gamma heating accounted for via thermal simulations. |
| Award Announced Date | 2022-06-14T07:19:43.333 |
| Awarded Institution | Idaho National Laboratory |
| Facility | Advanced Test Reactor |
| Facility Tech Lead | Alina Zackrone, Raymond Cao |
| Irradiation Facility | Ohio State University Research Reactor |
| PI | Dan Floyd |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 4428 |