Radiography with neutron beams for the pre- and post-irradiation testing of nuclear fuel

The techniques of radiography using neutron beams for testing nuclear fuel are introduced, with particular reference to the role of neutron sources based on powerful particle accelerators. Neutron radiography of fresh fuel can readily assure correct enrichment and assembly, whilst its use on irradiated fuel can determine a number of important characteristics more cheaply and quickly than by any other means. The study of dimensional changes produced by irradiation is perhaps the most important application foreseen, but it may also be used for assessing other effects such as cracking and plutonium segregation. The neutron radiography equipment developed for the Birmingham Dynamitron accelerator is given emphasis, since it is an excellent example of a non-reactor neutron source for radiography. Radiographs obtained with it are presented alongside those from other facilities and point to the value of powerful accelerators for testing fuel and other reactor components. (author)