The Advanced Carrier Bundle to Irradiate Materials Samples in CANDU Power Reactors

Abstract

The advanced carrier bundle (ACB) provides a means of irradiating specimens of pressure-tube material to high fast-neutron fluences in CANDU power reactors. This is achieved by removing two fuel elements from the first inner ring of the standard 37-element Bruce-type fuel bundle and replacing them with specimens mounted on a holder. The active samples on their holder will be transferred to a new bundle under water in the irradiated fuel bay, requiring very little handling. The new carrier bundle will then be "back loaded" into the fuelling machine using a specially designed backloader, developed for this program. This provides the capability to recycle radioactive specimens very quickly, and to continue their irradiation with minimal interruption and a quick turnaround. Following irradiation to the desired fluence, the samples will be shipped in a shielded flask to the AECL hot cells for examination and measurement. Initially this program will involve the Ontario Hydro Bruce B reactors.