A Study on the Non-destructive Inspection for End Closure Welding of Nuclear Fuel Elements for the Irradiation Test

조사시험용 핵연료봉 용접부 비파괴검사에 관한 연구

Nuclear fuel elements containing dry recycling nuclear fuel pellets for the irradiation test in a reactor were remotely fabricated from spent PWR fuel materials in a hot cell. End closure welding as well as seal tube welding for thermal sensor of the elements was performed by Nd:YAG laser. The soundness of the end closure welds and seal tube welds for the elements were evaluated by a precise X-ray inspection system composed of a micro-focus X-ray generator with an image intensifier and a real time camera system. Then, helium leak test was performed for the elements. The soundness of the welds of the fuel elements was confirmed by the X-ray inspection and helium leak test. The irradiation test for the fuel elements were successfully completed at the HANARO research reactor.