Rapid scanning system for fuel drawers
First Claim
1. In a system for rapidly investigating nuclear fuel drawers, the method comprising:
- (a) quantitative sensing of neutrons produced by nuclear decomposition;
(b) simultaneous, energy resolved monitoring of emitted gamma rays;
(c) automatic reading of fuel drawer identifying information; and
(d) analyzing in real time the information obtained for said fuel drawers by steps (a) through (c) utilizing a microprocessor.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A nondestructive method for uniqely distinguishing among and quantifying the mass of individual fuel plates in situ in fuel drawers utilized in nuclear reactors is described. The method is both rapid and passive, eliminating the personnel hazard of the commonly used irradiation techniques which require that the analysis be performed in proximity to an intense neutron source such as a reactor. In the present technique, only normally decaying nuclei are observed. This allows the analysis to be performed anywhere. This feature, combined with rapid scanning of a given fuel drawer (in approximately 30 s), and the computer data analysis allows the processing of large numbers of fuel drawers efficiently in the event of a loss alert.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. In a system for rapidly investigating nuclear fuel drawers, the method comprising:
-
(a) quantitative sensing of neutrons produced by nuclear decomposition; (b) simultaneous, energy resolved monitoring of emitted gamma rays; (c) automatic reading of fuel drawer identifying information; and (d) analyzing in real time the information obtained for said fuel drawers by steps (a) through (c) utilizing a microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. In a system for rapidly investigating nuclear fuel drawers, the apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a conveyor mechanism to move said fuel drawers through the apparatus, (b) a drawer identification sensor to uniquely identify said fuel drawers before they enter the radiation detecting devices, (c) a neutron detector, (d) a separate gamma ray detector which follows said neutron detector, and (e) a microprocessor for control and data analysis. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification