Development of a High Resolution X-Ray CT Technique for Irradiated Fuel Pellets

A nondestructive method making use of X-ray computer tomography (X-ray CT) has been applied to post irradiation examinations (PIEs) of fast breeder reactor (FBR) fuel assemblies. In the X-ray CT system, a 12 MeV X-ray pulse was used in synchronization with switching on the detector to minimize the effects of gamma ray emissions from the irradiated fuel assemblies. This technique enables a clear cross section CT images of the irradiated fuel assembly to be obtained.