ISSN: 1945-7553
CODEN: JTEVAB
Page Count: 8

In Situ Ultrasonic Examination of the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) Enriched Uranium Target Assembly

Bohringer, DE
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL

Kupperman, DS
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL

Bailey, JL
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL

Knox, AE
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL

(Received 16 November 1990; accepted 6 May 1990)

Abstract

The Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) at Argonne National Laboratory is one of the nation's largest and most powerful sources of pulsed neutron beams for the study of atomic and molecular structures in solids and liquids. Due to large grains, preferred crystal orientation, and high neutron flux levels, irradiation growth of the enriched uranium target is a major factor in limiting the useful lifetime of the target assembly. Since predicting growth is difficult, in situ ultrasonic pulse-echo techniques are being used to periodically monitor the growth of the target assembly. Several tests have confirmed that irradiation growth of the target can be tracked and measured to an accuracy of 100 μm.

Keywords:
neutrons, pulsed neutron source, ultrasonic monitoring, uranium, uranium target assembly

Paper ID: JTE12610J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE12610J
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