Experience of the Indirect Neutron Radiography Method Based on the X-ray Imaging Plate at CARR

Abstract

Indirect neutron radiography (INR) experiments by X-ray imaging plate were carried out at the China Advanced Research Reactor (CARR). The key experiment parameters were optimized, especially the exposure time of the neutron converter and imaging plate. The optimized total exposure time is 37.25 min, it is two-fifths of the time based on the film method under the same experimental conditions. The qualitative and quantitative inspections were tested with dummy nuclear fuel rods and a water temperature sensor of a motor vehicle. The spring in the sensor and the defects of the dummy fuel rod's pellets can be qualitatively detected. The thickness of the tape at one position on the cladding of the dummy nuclear fuel rod was quantitatively calculated to be 9.57 layers with the relative error of ±4.3%.

Development and Application of Neutron Imaging Technique at China Advanced Research Reactor

“…Through imaging analysis methods, the structure defections, the U-235 enrichment of the pellet and the hydrogen accumulation in the cladding were studied and analyzed. The results are shown in Figure 7-9 [11][12]. The void behavior in a vertical pipe containing a flowing mixture of air and water has been investigated by the high frame-rate neutron radiography test station at CARR [5].…”

“…The water temperature sensor was measured by indirect imaging method (seeFig. 3) [7]. The base material of the sensor is copper (the thermal neutron attenuation coefficient is 0.924 cm -1 ) and the spring material is steel (the thermal neutron attenuation coefficient is 1.15 cm -1 ), so thermal neutron penetrates easily through the base material to qualitatively test thesensor.…”

Open ended coaxial sensors with and without cavity for non-destructive applications

“…These properties can be physical, chemical, mechanical or geometric. There are several techniques of non-destructive testing such as: acoustic emission [1], penetrant testing [2], eddy current testing [3], ultrasound and radiography [4,5]. However, each of these methods has certain limitations and drawbacks.…”