Fuel Defect Detection and Location Methods at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station

Abstract

Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS) fuel performance has been described as good and the station is actively working to achieve the industry target of 'zero' fuel defects. PNGS is not equipped with fuel defect locating instrumentation, such as commissioned gaseous fission product detectors, delayed neutron systems or feeder scanners. To identify the presence of a fuel defect, its location, and confirm its discharge, PNGS uses alternate methods such as: bulk Heat Transport System (HTS) iodine and xenon grab sampling, individual HTS loop sampling, and gamma and airborne iodine monitoring during fuel discharge.