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Development of Smart Experimental Facilities

During the seven-month stay at MIT, the focus was not on the development of new nuclear fuel cladings, where reliable and intelligent experimental facilities play a crucial role. The primary facility developed was aimed at measuring the burst pressure of pellets. A thermometric device for neutron imaging of two-phase flow was also developed.

Details

Type of Work: Experimental

Main Author: Jan Petrik

Affiliation: MIT

Supervisors: Bren Phillips

Date: 2018

Journal: None

Online: None

The bursting pressure test facility measures nuclear fuel cladding burst pressure, key for assessing their structural integrity and safety. It uses a hydraulic pump to apply pressure on specially coated pellets. An Arduino system records the pressure curve, which is then sent to an online server for visualization and can also be viewed directly on the facility's in-situ display for real-time monitoring.
Gas-liquid two-phase flows are critical in technologies like nuclear reactors and heat exchangers. Neutron imaging, offering non-intrusive insight, is particularly effective for studying these flows in high-temperature, high-pressure environments. This capability enhances the understanding of flow dynamics in environments where traditional imaging fails, providing a clearer picture of the processes involved.

Gallery

  • Image 1
    Test facility for investigation of burst pressure of nuclear fuel cladding, featuring a hydraulic pump linked to an Arduino and an online server.
  • Image 2
    Experimental setup for neutron imagining of a water gas-liquid two-phase flow.

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