Three-dimensional X-ray CT image of an irradiated FBR fuel assembly

Katsuyama, Kozo ; Maeda, Koji  ; Nagamine, Tsuyoshi; Furuya, Hirotaka

Three-dimensional X-ray CT (computer tomography) images were successfully taken of a fast breeder reactor fuel assembly which had been irradiated to high burn-up. The interior and outside of the fuel assembly can be clearly observed on any cross section from any angle. Using these images, it is possible to analyze the deformation of fuel pins, abnormalities in the fuel assembly, and microstructural change in the fuel pins. 127 central void sizes were tentatively analyzed as a function of linear heat rating. Compared with conventional non-destructive and destructive post irradiation examination (PIEs), this X-ray CT technique has great advantages including the number of PIE data acquisitions in a short time, reduced PIE costs, reduced radioactive waste generation, and physical protection of nuclear materials.