Modified laser flash thermal diffusivity measurement system for shielded glove box

PIE and Radwaste (Post-Irradiation Examination and Radio-active Waste) division at KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) has carried out post irradiation examinations (PIEs) of the nuclear materials and fuels for the Hanaro reactor, CANDU, PWR and newly developed nuclear fuels. IMEF (Irradiated Material Examination Facility) in PIE and Radwaste division has been developing many kinds of PIE technologies. The thermal conductivity is considered to be one of the most thermo-physical properties for nuclear fuels and materials. The determination of the thermal conductivity of a nuclear material is accomplished by a measurement of the thermal diffusivity and the use of a defining relation for the diffusivity, specific heat capacity and density. The most widely employed technique is the pulse heating flash. In spite of many merits in using the pulse heating flash technique, the complexity of the laser flash thermal diffusivity measuring system restricts its use in a radioactive environment. Due to a sample's characteristics, the measuring system should be installed in a hot cell or a shielded glove box. Therefore, it is necessary to review, investigate and analyze the related requirement so as to install the measuring system in a hot cell or a shielded glove box. Selected requirement is reflected in the specification of a measuring system and realized requirement is used to solve the related problems