Device for irradiation and measurement of a cylindrical fuel element - designed for introduction into a swimming pool test reactor

摘要

The device comprises a closed chamber extended at its upper end by a tube. Both the chamber and tube are designed to receive the fuel element (e.g. of a fast neutron Na cooled reactor) and are of greater dia. than this. They are filled with a fluid identical to that used in the nuclear reactor. Arrangements are made to maintain the fluid at the temp. at which it will subsequently overate in the reactor. Means are provided for the controlled displacement of the fuel element from the closed chamber to the upper end of the tube and for measuring the diameter of the element when it has been brought into the tube. Pref. means are also provided for rotating the fuel element round its longitudinal axis. System enables a large number of tests to be made on a fuel element to determine e.g. the tendency for its tubular sheat to swell, under conditions which are the same as it will be subjected to in the actual power reactor.