A Novel gamma emission tomography instrument for enhanced fuel characterization capabilities within the OECD Halden Reactor Project

Here, the gamma-tomographic method and the experimental setup are demonstrated through experimental measurements of the fuel stack and gas plenum regions of a nine-rod HBWR fuel assembly configuration, where four rods had a burnup of approximately 26 MWd/kgUO2 and five rods had a burnup of approximately 50 MWd/kgUO2. Tomographic images are presented, which show the applicability for assessment of fission gas contents in the gas plena and of fission products in the fuel stack. Furthermore, neutron activation products are analyzed, which give additional information on construction material properties.