In-Core Fuel Performance and Material Characterization in the Halden Reactor

Reliable in-core instrumentation has been developed for measuring all key parameters for fuel studies such as fission gas release, fuel temperature, fuel swelling, cladding creep, etc. Improvements of the linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT), the diameter gauge and the pressure sensor are detailed in this article. For material corrosion studies, new electrochemical sensors have been developed, such as platina and iron/iron oxide reference electrodes. These electrodes are based upon brazed ceramic metal transitions, leading to a significant reduction in size and making them particularly suited for in-pile electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A prototype in-core eddy current based probe has been developed for measuring the oxide thickness on fuel cladding.