Real-Time Simultaneous Temperature and Strain Measurements of Surrogate Nuclear Fuel Pellets using Embedded Fiber Bragg Gratings (125)

Abstract

Interest has increased in real-time measurements of nuclear fuel properties during reactor operation to build the safety case for small modular reactors (SMR). Sensors capable of recording data during reactor operation are expected to expedite the licencing process with nuclear regulators. The Advanced Fuels and Reactor Physics Branch at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has been developing the means of vat polymerization 3D printing of alumina surrogate fuel pellets that contain voids to allow sensors to be embedded within the pellets. This paper details an expansion of previous research in which Fiber Bragg Gratings inscribed on optical fibers are used for the simultaneous measurement of pellet strain and temperature.