A technique for detection of WWER fuel failures by activity of Xe radionuclides during reactor operation

Abstract

Fuel failures during operation of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) may lead to substantial economic losses. Negative effects of reactor operation with leaking fuel in the core may be reduced if fuel failures are detected in due time of the cycle. At present time, the ratio of the normalized release rates of 131I and 134I is used to detect fuel failures in WWERs during steady state operation. However, based on the activity of iodine radionuclides, it is not always possible to detect the fuel failure. This situation may occur in case of a small defect in cladding of a leaking fuel rod or for high burnup fuel if the defect is overlapped by the surface of the fuel pellet. If it is so, fuel deposits may be the dominant contributor to iodine activity, and the fuel failure may not be noticeable. In PWRs, fuel failures are detected by activity of radioactive noble gases. Noble gases are not adsorbed on cladding inner surface, as distinct from iodine radionuclides. Release of noble gases from the leaking fuel rod may be considerable even though defect in cladding is small. In this paper, a technique is proposed for detection of fuel failures at WWER reactors by activity of radioactive noble gases in the primary coolant. It is shown that radioactive noble gases may be a more sensitive indicator of fuel failures than iodine radionuclides. Detection of fuel failures is based on monitoring of the ratio between 133Xe and 135Xe activity. Some examples of practical applications are given.