Nuclear fuel pellet-cladding interaction test device and method modeling in-core reactor thermal conditions

摘要

A method and apparatus for testing characteristics of nuclear fuel pellet interaction with nuclear reactor fuel rod cladding whereby the temperature profile within a nuclear fuel rod is more closely modeled in the test device than in the prior art discloses the use of high frequency microwave radiation to heat the fuel pellets within the cladding and using the cladding itself as a waveguide. Sensors monitor various operating parameters and a water jacket cools the test cladding.