Defining Probe Closure Offset and Scan Stitching Methodology for Element Contact Profilometry in the Hot Fuel Examination Facility

Hanson, William Alexander [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000293365556); Colldeweih, Aaron William [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000200545276); Hawkins, Katie [Idaho National Laboratory]; Stockwell, Jake [Idaho National Laboratory]

DOE OSTI · 3374545

Defining Probe Closure Offset and Scan Stitching Methodology for Element Contact Profilometry in the Hot Fuel Examination Facility

Hanson, William Alexander [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000293365556)·Colldeweih, Aaron William [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000200545276)·Hawkins, Katie [Idaho National Laboratory]·Stockwell, Jake [Idaho National Laboratory]

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Abstract

The Element Contact Profilometer (ECP) is a non-destructive post-irradiation examination (PIE) method established in the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF). The ECP suspends a fuel rod with a standard end-fitting in a vertical orientation and draws it between two opposed Sony probes with sapphire rod tips, which measure the diameter directly as a function of vertical stage position through contact profilometry. The ECP is equipped with concave rollers, which pinch the rod to maintain a consist position between these sapphire probe tips. A schematic of the analysis head is shown in Figure 1. The gripper that suspends the rod end-fitting is able to rotate to allow measuring of any azimuthal angle around the rod. This system is used to characterize the diameter of full-length light water reactor (LWR) irradiated fuel rods at multiple azimuthal angles in support of the Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC).

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Hanson, William Alexander [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000293365556), Colldeweih, Aaron William [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000200545276), Hawkins, Katie [Idaho National Laboratory], Stockwell, Jake [Idaho National Laboratory]. 2026-06-11. Defining Probe Closure Offset and Scan Stitching Methodology for Element Contact Profilometry in the Hot Fuel Examination Facility. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/3374545

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