AGR-1 Post-Irradiation Examination Test Requirements

As the first in a series of test irradiations for the NGNP Fuel Development and Qualification Program, the AGR-1 Irradiation Experiment is scheduled to begin irradiation in the Advanced Test Reactor in December 2006. At the conclusion of the experiment, the test train will be removed from the reactor and shipped to the Hot Fuel Examination Facility at the Materials and Fuels Complex at the INL for extensive post-irradiation examination. The PIE for this experiment will focus on: 1. Assessing the performance of the multicapsule instrumented test train and components; 2. Evaluating the fission product retention of the fuel during irradiation and during post-irradiation accident testing; 3. Characterizing the compacts and individual particles to observe the condition of the matrix material, kernels, and coatings and document any concerns. This document presents a basic set of requirements for the post-irradiation examination of the AGR-1 test train and fuel.