Masters Theses

Abstract

"Effective methods of enhancing the safety and efficiency of the nuclear power industry embolden its perception and economic viability. Fuel reliability is an essential component of the prosperity of next generation high temperature reactors; as such, an equally dependable quality control method is mandatory. Tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel, the fuel developed for use in these reactors, utilizes density measurement of coating layers as a standard for quality control. Common methods of measuring density, such as sink-float and ceramography are destructive, and as such generate radioactive waste, take a relatively long time to prepare samples, rely on a low sampling rate to be economical, and destroy otherwise usable samples. An alternative method which is non-destructive, quick, robust, and potentially automated has been developed by utilizing typical x-ray radiography. Simulated images and actual radiographs were used to test the method. The simulated results indicated that the method has high tolerance for image noise. Additional tests were performed for voltage fluctuations, errors in the photon energy distribution, and radii measurement perturbations. Experiments were performed with a TRISO fuel phantom and the calculated density results were found to be in agreement with actual values. Implications of the developed testing method include more stringent quality control of fuel at a rapid inspection rate, minimization of fission product release from fuel, and ultimately, increased reactor efficiency"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Lee, Hyoung-Koo

Committee Member(s)

Usman, Shoaib
Castaño, Carlos H.

Department(s)

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science

Degree Name

M.S. in Nuclear Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2011

Pagination

x, 73 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (page 45).

Rights

© 2011 Frank Angelo Strantz, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Nuclear fuels -- Nondestructive testingRadiography

Thesis Number

T 9946

Print OCLC #

794684815

Electronic OCLC #

764756890

Download

Share

 
COinS