U.S. Domestic Reactor Conversion ProgramFuel Inspections and Quality Control

David F. CappResearch Reactor Fuels Inspector/Engineer

2007 RRFM Conference

September 2007

The RERTR U.S. Domestic Conversion Program

continues in its support of the Global Threat Reduction

Initiative (GTRI) to convert seven U.S. Test Research and

Training Reactors to low enriched uranium (LEU) by 2010.

An important part of conversion process is the

procurement of the fuel and other reactor components by

the INL. The presentation will be a general overview of

the Quality Assurance/Inspection processes used to

procure components for the reactors with some specifics

on the inspection processes used for plate type fuel

elements and TRIGA elements.

Qualification and Training

• Personnel Qualification– NDT personnel in accordance with SNT-TC-1A

– Other Inspectors / Operators in accordance with Customer approved procedures.

• Training– Documented On-Job-Training

– Comprehensive Training Checklists– Division-Wide Training (i.e., Safety, Regulatory, etc)

Establishing Requirements

• 10 CRF830.120 Quality Assurance Program.

• Component Specifications based on University Specifications and Safety Analysis

Quality Assurance Program

• Based on ASME Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1)

Receipt Inspection of Raw Material

Weighing of Fuel Charge

Fluoroscope Inspection

Plate Inspection/Visual, Dim.

Void Volume

X-Ray of Plate Type Fuel

Radiographic Evaluation

Dimensioning of Fuel Core

Homogeneity Evaluation

Ultrasonic Inspection, Bonding and Min Clad

UT Bond Inspection

Channel Probe, Water Channels

Dimensional

Dimensional

Dimensional

Eddy Current, Filming Thickness

Completed Element

Missouri Completed Element

Preparation for Shipment

Loading of Elements

TRIGA Type Fuel

Dimensional

Dimensional

Dimensional

Dimensional

Weld Inspection/100%

Leak Test Equipment

Leak Testing Chamber

• T

Final Visual

Completed TRIGA Elements

Receipt of Fuel

Receipt Inspection

Control of Quality Records

• Maintenance of Quality Records based on Requirements of NQA-1

– Records Consist of Documents, UT Traces, X-Ray Film, etc

Control of Quality Records

• Record Retention

– Lifetime Records

– Nonpermanent Records

Oversight Inspection

• In Process

• Prior to Shipment

• Inspections are Checked due to the Complexity of the Processes