In a significant stride for nuclear technology, researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have teamed with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to enhance the inspection of nuclear reactor components and materials. Following the development of a new software algorithm by ORNL, INL is now to rapidly check for defects in 3D-printed nuclear parts with a focus on identifying viable materials for future reactors. INL is also preparing to utilize this technology to examine nuclear fuels, potentially accelerating advancements in energy production.
Bill Chuirazzi, the leader of INL’s Diffraction and Imaging group, highlighted the impact of this cross-institutional effort, stating, "If we use this algorithm to reduce the scan time for radioactive fuels by 90%, it will increase worker safety and the rate we can evaluate new materials." With traditional methods potentially taking decades, this partnership could swiftly introduce new reactor designs into the power grid. ORNL's algorithm, Simurgh, aims to dramatically cut down the scanning time for very dense materials while also improving defect detection capabilities, according to ORNL’s news release.
Faster and safer inspection methods are especially crucial in nuclear fields where precision and safety standards are exceedingly high. "The fact we’re using this tool suite in the nuclear sphere speaks to the quality and reliability of the technology," explained Ryan Dehoff, director of DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL. Notably, the technology was developed under the aegis of DOE’s Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office and later implemented in DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy under a different program to accommodate the rigorous demands of the nuclear field, as per the ORNL’s news release.
This breakthrough began when INL faced challenges with examining the link between defects in printed materials and the respective printing parameters. Before engaging ORNL's software, over 30 hours were needed to scan a single sample to identify patterns, causing a severe bottleneck. By licensing Simurgh from their colleagues at ORNL, INL reduced data collection time significantly. "Including prep, it now takes about 15% of the time it did to scan something with our setup," Chuirazzi told ORNL. Such improvements have a profound impact on the efficiency of nuclear technology development.
The partnership's success story also encompasses the safe inspection of highly radioactive materials. Simurgh is now being trained to process irradiated materials such as Tri-structural ISOtropic particle fuel, essential for advanced nuclear reactors. This initiative may soon further the evaluation of radiation-exposed metal components like those used in the Transformational Challenge Reactor program.
Both ORNL and INL are managed on behalf of the Department of Energy, with ORNL managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, and INL managed by Battelle Energy Alliance for the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy. More information about their nuclear energy research and development programs can be found on their respective websites, provided in the link to the official announcement from ORNL.
