LWR pressure-vessel irradiation surveillance dosimetry. Quarterly progress report, October 1981-December 1981

Abstract

A technique involving shifting of core fuel loadings was investigated as a method for reducing the neutron flux at points of high damage accumulation in the pressure vessel wall of a light water reactor. Calculations were run for six types of commercial generic PWR. Information is provided on the progress being made to develop and apply the Solid State Track Recorder (SSTR) method for in-situ in- and ex-vessel measurements of neutron exposure parameter values, such as fluence (E > 1.0 MeV) and dpa in iron. A new technique of quantitative track counting, the Buffon needle method, is advanced. It is based on random sampling of the SSTR surface. A desensitized etching technique was developed that resulted in an excellent differential energy response for alpha particles in the 3- to 14-MeV energy range. The optical efficiency of Muscovite mica for manual fission track counting is being redetermined to form a data base for comparison with automatic counting systems. Exposures in contact with a /sup 252/Cf source prepared at A coupled neutron-gamma cross section set is being generated to analyze photofission effects for the PCA and ORR LWR experiments. Final cumulative irradiation and temperature data for the SSC-2 are reported. Cumulative irradiationmore » and temperature data for the Simulated Pressure Vessel Capsule through December 31, 1981 are reported.« less