METHOD FOR DETERMINING GAS PRESSURE WITHIN FUEL ELEMENTS OF NUCLEAR REACTORS Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: measurement technology. SUBSTANCE: heat pulse is applied to section of fuel element cladding external surface, temperature drop is measured by means of thermistors placed above and below points of heating. In addition, same section of fuel element is continuously heated and temperature drop is measured by means of thermistors located to the right and to the left of heated section of cladding. Pressure is determined by two parameters: integral over time of signal of temperature drop caused by heat pulse and spectral power of signal of temperature drop due to continuous heating of cladding. Prior to measuring temperature drop, cladding is heated at points of location of thermistors till steady state temperature is attained. EFFECT: improved accuracy of gas pressure determination in radiated fuel elements; provision for finding relative content of gallium and xenon in fuel element without breaking it. 9 dwg