Fuel rod instrumentation capabilities at the Halden Project

In this presentation, an overview of the in-pile measurement principles and systems which are used in HBWR to monitor different fuel rod parameters under operating conditions was given. The principles of the LVDT was explained in more detail and the use of this method for measuring rod internal pressure, cladding and fuel stack elongation and average centre line fuel temperature was demonstrated. In addition, the design and capability of the diameter gauge was presented. In the second part of the presentation new developments at the Halden Project were introduced. These included a system to measure on-line the average cladding corrosion using a potential drop method. The out-of-pile autoclave testing of a prototype was finished this month. Finally a new water ingress device for fuel degradation tests was presented. This device enables remote control of water ingress in fuel rods for degradation studies