Source term analysis and sorting scheme in post-irradiation spherical pyrometric elements

Abstract The 10 MW high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTR-10) is the most advanced of the fourth generation reactors, and has become a good test platform for very high-temperature operations. Spherical fuel elements are utilized in HTR-10, and the maximum temperature of the fuel element is one of the primary technical factors restricting the outlet temperature of the core. In our experiment, a pyrometric element with different wire melting points, is added to the HTR-10 reactor core to measure the maximum temperature distribution. How to sort out the pyrometric element, and analyze the source terms in post-irradiation spherical pyrometric elements when cycled out of the core, are the key issues of this study. This study can provide technical support for the internal temperature measurement, and analysis of the core, as well as for very high-temperature operation of HTR-10.