In-situ bwr and pwr CRUD flake analysis method and tool
The invention provides a method and tool to perform an analysis of CRUD on a nuclear fuel rod. The method recites providing a nuclear fuel rod with a layer of CRUD on an exterior of the fuel rod, scraping the CRUD from the fuel rod with a CRUD scraping tool and collecting CRUD flakes from the CRUD scraping tool. The method also provides for sorting the CRUD flakes into particle fractions, and analyzing the CRUD with a scanning electron microscope, wherein the scraping tool has a blade with a rigidity that is matched to an anticipated CRUD deposit shear strength.
1. A tool for scraping CRUD from nuclear fuel rods comprising:
a housing defining an interior volume;
a funnel weldment configured to provide penetration of a fuel rod into the housing; and
a blade positioned in the housing, the blade having a top and a bottom, and the blade defining a support rod hole; wherein
the blade top is configured for scraping CRUD from a fuel rod;
the blade bottom contacts the housing, thereby preventing rotation of the blade during scraping; and
the blade is attached to the housing by a support rod extending through the support rod hole, where the blade is configured with a rigidity matched to an anticipated sheer strength of the CRUD.
2. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the funnel weldment is placed partially within the housing through a funnel weldment opening in the housing.
3. The tool according to claim 2 , wherein the funnel weldment is a cone configuration on a part exterior to the housing.
4. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has a rod seal placed in an end opening.
5. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the blade has a cutting surface shaped in an arc.