SEDL / STP / STP716-EB / STP27507S

Cold Neutron Imaging for Gas Turbine Inspection

Stewart, PAE
Head, Advanced Projects Department, Test Operations, Rolls-Royce Ltd., Aero Division, Bristol,

Pages: 19    Published: Jan 1980

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Abstract

Cold neutron radiography has a number of attractive features which make it particularly suitable for solving some specific problems in gas turbine development, connected with fuel, oil or hydraulic systems. Other hydrogenous materials are also rendered clearly visible by this technique.

This paper describes preliminary work to determine image quality using cold neutrons with a range of test objects, including an oil penetrameter, engine accessory components and a full-size static Rolls-Royce ‘Viper’ gas turbine. This work was carried out on the C1 residual cold neutron radiographic beam port at the ‘Herald’ research reactor (5 MW) at the U.K. Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston in June 1975.