title: On-line detection of key radionuclides for fuel-rod failure in a pressurized water reactor.
abstract: For early on-line detection of fuel rod failure, the key radionuclides useful in monitoring must leak easily from failing rods. Yield, half-life, and mass share of fission products that enter the primary coolant also need to be considered in on-line analyses. From all the nuclides that enter the primary coolant during fuel-rod failure, (135)Xe and (88)Kr were ultimately chosen as crucial for on-line monitoring of fuel-rod failure. A monitoring system for fuel-rod failure detection for pressurized water reactor (PWR) based on the LaBr3(Ce) detector was assembled and tested. The samples of coolant from the PWR were measured using the system as well as a HPGe γ-ray spectrometer. A comparison showed the method was feasible. Finally, the γ-ray spectra of primary coolant were measured under normal operations and during fuel-rod failure. The two peaks of (135)Xe (249.8keV) and (88)Kr (2392.1keV) were visible, confirming that the method is capable of monitoring fuel-rod failure on-line.
authors.affiliation: Shenyang Institute of Engineering, 18 Puchang Dr., 110136 Shenyang, Liaoning, China; China Institute of Atomic Energy, Xinzhen, 120413 Beijing, Fangshan, China. Electronic address: qinguoxiu198201@163.com.
authors.forename: Guoxiu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: China Institute of Atomic Energy, Xinzhen, 120413 Beijing, Fangshan, China.
authors.forename: Xilin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: China Institute of Atomic Energy, Xinzhen, 120413 Beijing, Fangshan, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: China Institute of Atomic Energy, Xinzhen, 120413 Beijing, Fangshan, China.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ni
keywords: Fission products; Fuel-rod failure; LaBr(3)(Ce) detector; On-line detection