Actions for MONITORING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF IRRADIATED FUEL ELEMENTS

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MONITORING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF IRRADIATED FUEL ELEMENTS

Author
Clark, R. G.
Published
United States : [publisher not identified], 1963.
[Oak Ridge, Tennessee] : [U.S. Atomic Energy Commission], 1963.
Physical Description
microfiche : negative ; 8 x 13 cm

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Summary
A radiation thermometer using infrared techniques was developed to monitor surface temperatures of irradiated fuel elements while undergoing physical examination. Thermistors were chosen as sensors for the infrared thermometer as they are the most responsive transducer in the temperature range of interest here, namely from 600 to 100 deg F, and possess the required tolerance to gamma radiation which will be present at dose rates to 10/sup 6/ r/ hr. A response unaltered by either short term or long term effects from this radiation required that all materials used in the probe be radiation tolerant, including infrared lenses as well as thermistors. A gamma radiation damage program was initiated to provide information on the radiation tolerance of silicon, germanium, and arsenic trisulfide lens materials. It was determined that these materials would suffer no damage and would not darken or change transmission characteristics from exposure to high-energy gamma radiation accumulated up to 10/sup 9/ r. The probe design resulted in a small, evacuated, tube-like shell, one inch in diameter with a parabolic reflecting mirror and an arsenic trisulfide lens at one end. Two thermistor beads were used, with one at the focal point of the mirror to sense the source and the second in the rear to monitor changes in ambient temperatures. A simple bridge circuit was employed in a manner that corrected for changes in ambient temperatures that would be great enough to affect the response of the sensing thermistor bead. Commercial temperature indicating equipment was modified to provide a meter for remote temperature indication and power for bridge excitation for the thermistor circuit. It was shown that the response of the device would not be affected by changes in emissivities among fuel elements. The expected response of the probe was determined in essentially an energy balance analysis and experimental results confirmed the predicted results. From this correlation, it was concluded that the device will perform essentially as a radiation thermometer and that no unusual response will occur. (auth)
Report Numbers
HW-SA-3036
Other Subject(s)
Collection
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission depository collection.
Note
DOE contract number: AT(45-1)-1350
NSA number: NSA-17-027652
OSTI Identifier 4714510
Research organization: General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
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