External Attachment of Titanium Sheathed Thermocouples to Zirconium Nuclear Fuel Rods For The Loss-Of-Fluid-Test (LOFT) Reactor

Richard K. Welty

doi:10.1117/12.959376

31 October 1980 External Attachment of Titanium Sheathed Thermocouples to Zirconium Nuclear Fuel Rods For The Loss-Of-Fluid-Test (LOFT) Reactor

Richard K. Welty

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 0247, Advances in Laser Engineering and Applications; (1980) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959376
Event: 24th Annual Technical Symposium, 1980, San Diego, United States

Abstract

The Exxon Nuclear Company, Inc. acting as a Subcontractor to EG&G Idaho Inc.3 Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho, has developed a welding process to attach titanium sheathed thermocouples to the outside of the zircaloy clad fuel rods. The fuel rods and thermocouples are used to test simulated loss-of-coolant-accident (LOCA) conditions in a pressurized water reactor (LOFT Reactor, Idaho National Laboratory). The design goals were to (1) reliably attach thermocouples to the zircaloy fuel rods, (2) achieve or exceed a life expectancy of 6,000 hours of reactor operation in a borated water environment of 316°C at 2260 psi, (3) provide and sustain repeatable physical and metallurgical properties in the instrumented rods subjected to transient temperatures up to 1538°C with blowdown, shock, loading, and fast quench. A laser beam was selected as the optimum welding process because of the extremely high energy input per unit volume that can be achieved allowing local fusion of a small area irrespective of the difference in material thickness to be joined. A commercial pulsed laser and energy control system was installed along with specialized welding fixtures. Laser room facility requirements and tolerances were established. Performance qualifications and detailed welding procedures were also developed. Product performance tests were conducted to assure that engineering design requirements could be met on a production basis. Irradiation tests showed no degradation of thermocouples or weld structure. Fast thermal cycle and heater rod blowdown reflood tests were made to subject the weldments to high temperatures, high pressure steam, and fast water quench cycles. From the behavior of these tests, it was concluded that the attachment welds would survive a series of reactor safety tests.

Citation Download Citation

Richard K. Welty "External Attachment of Titanium Sheathed Thermocouples to Zirconium Nuclear Fuel Rods For The Loss-Of-Fluid-Test (LOFT) Reactor", Proc. SPIE 0247, Advances in Laser Engineering and Applications, (31 October 1980); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959376

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