Efficiency calibration of an on-line detection device for fuel rod failure in a PWR

This paper describes a method of calibrating the efficiency of an on-line detection device for fuel rod failure in a pressurized water reactor. ²¹⁴Am, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co and ²⁴Na were selected to produce 4 sets of liquid calibration sources, and a calibration system that could simulate the on-site measurement of the on-line detection device was established. Efficiency calibration was performed against γ-ray lines, which could be identified by a LaBr₃(Ce) detector. After a true coincidence summing correction, an efficiency curve of the on-line detection device for fuel rod failure was obtained, with a calibration uncertainty of 3.5%.