Resonant Fuel Rod Circuit for Real-Time In-Core Condition Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nuclear reactor sensors cannot directly monitor conditions within a nuclear fuel rod during operation, requiring lengthy post-irradiation examinations for advanced fuel cladding testing, which delays data availability.
Innovation Solution
A nuclear fuel rod real-time passive integral detection apparatus with a resonant electrical circuit generates a response pulse through the cladding to detect conditions like center-line fuel pellet temperature, fuel pellet elongation, and internal pressure using a transmitter and receiver outside the cladding, allowing for non-invasive monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If post-irradiation examinations are used to obtain fuel rod data, then measurement precision is achieved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical intrusion into the fuel rod with electromagnetic field-based sensing. The resonant circuit responds to mechanical stress, temperature, and pressure changes through electromagnetic resonance frequency shifts, allowing non-invasive measurement of fuel rod conditions without mechanical breach or post-irradiation extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant circuit is self-powered through electromagnetic coupling with the external interrogating system. The circuit uses the induced electromagnetic energy to generate its response signal, eliminating the need for external power sources, signal leads, or active electronics that would require maintenance or replacement.
2Ease of operation
If non-invasive monitoring is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to signal attenuation through cladding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the resonant circuit parameters (inductance, capacitance, quality factor) to maximize signal strength and frequency shift magnitude in response to fuel rod conditions. By tuning the resonance frequency and enhancing the quality factor, the system achieves sufficient signal-to-noise ratio despite signal attenuation through the cladding, maintaining measurement precision while enabling non-invasive operation.
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
Enables real-time, non-invasive monitoring of fuel rod conditions, providing immediate data on critical parameters without breaching the cladding, thus accelerating regulatory approval processes for advanced fuel cladding materials.
Implementation Method 1
A nuclear fuel rod real-time passive integral sensor with remote inductive or magnetic interrogator (also known as pulse induction) is disclosed.
Implementation Method 2
a resonant electrical circuit configured to be supported within an interior of a nuclear fuel rod and structured to generate a generally sinusoidal response pulse in response to an incoming excitation pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A detection apparatus includes a resonant electrical circuit supported within an interior of a nuclear fuel rod generates a response pulse in response to an excitation pulse and transmits the response pulse through a cladding of the fuel rod to another location within a reactor in which the fuel rod is housed and without any breach in the cladding. A characteristic of the response pulse is indicative of a condition of the fuel rod. The detection apparatus also includes a transmitter positioned outside the cladding, in the reactor, in the vicinity of the fuel rod and configured to generate the excitation pulse and transmit the excitation pulse through the cladding to the resonant electrical circuit. A receiver is supported within the reactor outside of the cladding and, in response to the response pulse, communicates a signal to an electronic processing apparatus outside of the reactor.