Characterisation of nuclear materials towards design optimisation through performance assessment of fuels and structural materials, radiation damage studies through irradiation experiments, residual life assessment of reactor components, and failure analysis of active components from operating reactors
Achievements
Burn-up extension of FBTR Carbide driver fuel (70% PuC-30%UC) to 155GWd/t through stage wise Post-Irradiation examination (PIE)
Performance assessment of PFBR MOX fuel and D9 clad/wrapper test irradiated to 112GWd/t in FBTR
Study of irradiation behaviour of advanced FBR fuels such as MOX sphere-pac fuel.
Performance Assessment of FBR structural materials such as 316LN/304LN, 316 (FBTR grade), Boron carbide (B4C) and Nickel, and shielding materials such as Ferroboron and Tungsten carbide (WC), test irradiated in FBTR.
Surveillance specimen testing for MAPS PHWR
Design of systems for fuel cycle and irradiation facilities
Technology Developed
Technologies associated with construction, operation and maintenance of radiological hot cell facility
Remote handling equipment such as Master-Slave Manipulators (MSM), Cranes for concrete/lead shielded cells
Remotely operable equipment for subassembly dismantling and specimen preparation for mechanical testingµscopy.
Customized equipment for (i) Metrology, (ii) Non-destructive testing such as X ray and Neutron radiography, Eddy current inspection, Gamma spectrometry, (iii) fission gas extraction & analysis, (iv) optical/electron microscopy and micro-analytical examinations, and (v) mechanical testing (tensile, impact, hardness, shear/small punch tests) of irradiated components/materials.
Transfer systems for radioactive material transfer across various hot cell facilities.
Inert gas recirculation system for hot cell ventilation
Techniques for remote & contact maintenance of hotcell equipment
Miniature specimen testing techniques such as subsize tensile, shear/small punch, ball-indentationtest methods including instrument design and validation
Finite element method based numerical simulations for seismic analysis of structures and mechanical deformation studies
Infrastructure/Facilities
Hot-cells and shielded facilities
Remote handling and Viewing devices in hot cells
Master-Slave manipulators (MSM)
Articulated manipulators (AM)
Radiation shielding window glass (RSW)
Nuclear periscopes, Cameras
Radioactive Material transfer Systems for hot cells
Double door Vertical Transfer system (VTS)
Double door Horizontal Transfer system (HTS)
Ports for solid waste transfer
Equipment for Dismantling and Specimen preparation in hot cells
Nd-YAG Laser based dismantling machine for subassemblies/capsules
CNC machine for tensile specimen preparation from wrapper
Hollow end mill based system for disc specimen extraction from wrapper
Diamond wheel cutting machines for extraction of fuel-clad sections
Grinding and polishing machines for specimen preparation for microscopy
Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of irradiated components in hot cells
4-axis Profilometer (DMLD) for metrology of irradiated subassembly
LVDT based profilometer for dimensional measurement of fuel pins
Eddy current bench for inspection of fuel pins
X ray and Neutron radiography systems for imaging fuel pins
Axial and Radial gamma scanning systems for fission product distribution
Plant Ventilation systems
Inert Gas Recirculation system with feed and bleed systems for hot cell ventilation
Air compressors and PSA nitrogen generators
Supply and exhaust systems for once-through-ventilation in various zones of the radiological facility
Water and Brine chillers, Cooling tower, Air handing units, Centrifugal pumps, stack etc.
Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation systems
Substation, DG sets, Distribution panels/boards
Lighting and power systems
Temperature, pressure and oxygen sensors& controllers for Hot cells
CCTV based surveillance systems
Physical and Fire protection systems
Radiation & contamination monitoring equipment
BF3 based radioactive waste drum monitor
Fission gas extraction and analysis
Gas Chromatograph
Mass Spectrometer
Microscopy and micro-analytical characterization equipment
Customized Optical microscope in hot cell
Glove box adapted Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
