NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF LIGHT WATER-REACTOR FUEL-RODS AT THE HFR PETTEN

Specialised non-destructive examination equipment and methods have been developed for underwater operation, providing detailed information regarding the state and physical condition of irradiated fuel rods. The techniques are applied routinely during light water reactor fuel testing programmes at the High Flux Reactor (HFR) Petten. This contribution focuses on the layout and development of these methods and equipment. Typical results are presented. Neutron radiography primarily provides information on the condition of the fuel stack, the fuel internals and the fuel rod integrity, whilst eddy current examination and profilometry address mainly the condition, integrity and geometrical behaviour of the fuel cladding.