Abstract:
The current intensive storage method of spent fuel based on fuel consumption trust system has put forward higher requirements for the reliability and effectiveness of neutron absorbing materials in the spent fuel pool grid. Non-destructive testing and monitoring of neutron absorption performance (boron content) is required during the production and use of grid materials. In response to these two requirements, a nuclear power plant spent fuel pool grid B
4C_Al neutron absorption material testing equipment has been successfully developed. The detection equipment is mainly composed of the neutron source (3
252Cf radiation sources), the neutron detection array (a detection array composed of 10 lithium glass detectors), the neutron shielding collimation and slowing system,
etc., and then the
10B surface density of each measuring point on the sample plate would be calculated by measuring the neutron transmittance, and the method of non-destructive testing of the B
4C_Al alloy boron content of the spent fuel pool storage grid material would be accomplished. The equipment has been successfully used to complete the 20 cm×30 cm hanging sample test, and the results were reliable. The detection equipment is the first one designed for B
4C_Al material neutron absorption performance testing, which promotes the non-destructive testing of boron-containing neutron absorption materials of China, and provides a strong guarantee for the criticality safety monitoring of the spent fuel pool of nuclear power plants.