device for the study of defects in the structure of radioactive fuel rods and method for the research in this defec.

摘要

A typical embodiment of the invention detects leaking fuel rods by means of a radiation detector that measures the concentration of xenon-133 (Xe133) within each individual rod. A collimated detector that provides signals related to the energy of incident radiation is aligned with one of the ends of a fuel rod. A statistically significant sample of the gamma radiation ( gamma -rays) that characterize Xe133 is accumulated through the detector. The data so accumulated indicates the presence of a concentration of Xe133 appropriate to a sound fuel rod, or a significantly different concentration that reflects a leaking fuel rod.