Dual-Position Gamma Tomography for Dense Fuel Assembly Defect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gamma emission tomography techniques struggle to acquire high-quality internal tomography images of densely arranged spent nuclear fuel assemblies, leading to difficulties in detecting defects and their locations within the fuel rods, with existing methods having high error rates and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A gamma emission tomography image acquisition device with first and second detection units is employed, where the first unit is outside the fuel assembly and the second unit is inside, using a rod-shaped sealing unit with a collimator and detection members to optimize image acquisition through Monte Carlo simulation, allowing for both internal and external radiation detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gamma emission tomography techniques are used for densely arranged spent fuel assembly, then direct tomography imaging is enabled, but measurement efficiency degrades and internal tomography images cannot be acquired
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into two distinct units: a first detection unit positioned outside the fuel assembly and a second detection unit positioned inside the fuel assembly. This segmentation allows each unit to optimize its detection capabilities for its specific location, with the internal unit capturing emissions from densely packed rods that external units cannot access, thereby maintaining image quality while improving overall measurement efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single external detection approach to a dual-position detection system by adding the internal detection dimension. The second detection unit positioned inside the fuel assembly provides detection from the internal dimension, complementing the external detection and enabling acquisition of tomography images that were previously impossible with external-only systems
2Quantity of substance
If the number of nuclear fuel rods in spent fuel assembly increases, then fuel density increases, but it becomes difficult to determine defects and their locations in fuel rods
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into external and internal detection units, with the internal second detection unit specifically positioned to monitor individual fuel rods within the dense assembly. This segmentation enables detection of defects in specific rods even when 100 or more rods are arranged densely, as the internal unit can access and monitor each rod's radiation emissions independently
Solution Approach 2:
The second detection unit inside the fuel assembly provides localized detection capability for individual fuel rods. By positioning detection members within the assembly, the system achieves local quality monitoring of specific rod regions, enabling precise defect location identification even in densely packed configurations where external detection would provide only averaged or blurred signals
3Device complexity
If only external detection units are used, then device complexity is reduced, but tomography image quality for dense fuel assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into two functional units with distinct roles: the first external detection unit handles general assembly monitoring, while the second internal detection unit specializes in capturing emissions from densely packed rods. This segmentation justifies the increased complexity by delivering superior tomography image quality that neither unit could achieve alone
Solution Approach 2:
The second detection unit inside the fuel assembly acts as an intermediary between the fuel rods and the external detection system. It captures radiation emissions from the dense rod configuration and transmits this information to the image reconstruction system, serving as a necessary mediator that enables high-quality tomography imaging of internal structures that external units cannot directly observe
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves high-quality tomographic imaging by detecting radiation from both inside and outside the fuel assembly, effectively verifying defect presence and location, thereby preventing additional defects and radioactive material leakage.
Implementation Method 1
detection members arranged within the sealing unit to detect radiation emitted from the fuel assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A high-quality tomographic image acquisition device for a densely arranged spent nuclear fuel according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept relates to an gamma emission tomography device for detecting radiation of a fuel assembly which receives a plurality of fuel rods and may comprise: a first detection part disposed on one side of the fuel assembly and detecting radiation emitted from the fuel assembly; and a second detection part including a rod-shaped sealing part disposed inside the fuel assembly and a detection member disposed inside the sealing part and detecting radiation emitted from the fuel assembly.