In situ gas analysis in interim spent fuel containers

目前正在提议或考虑对联合王国的大部分乏燃料库存进行临时干式储存。这些燃料将在地质处置库中储存数十年。目前，考虑在临时贮存期间对乏燃料进行监测的备选方案很少，也没有成熟的监测技术可以避免穿透安全壳。该项目将研究联合LIBS和拉曼方法的潜力。将在惰性气体（氙和氪）中分析几种感兴趣气体的光谱和检测限，以评估储存期间燃料包壳失效的可行性。（LIBS）氢和氧;评估储存期间水蒸气检测的可行性。（拉曼）氮气/空气;评估储存期间容器失效的可行性。（拉曼）这将确定LIBS是否可以在可行的水平上检测这些特征气体，以便在干燥的储存容器中部署该技术。该项目还将评估将LIBS/拉曼集成到存储容器设计中的选项，包括使用光学窗口或嵌入式光纤。这些数据将确定在干燥储存容器中使用LIBS是否可以达到足够的TRL以考虑部署。

Interim dry storage is being proposed or considered for a large part of the UK's spent fuel inventory. The fuel will be stored for several decades pending disposal in a geological repository. At current, there are few options being considered for monitoring the spent fuel during this interim storage, and no mature monitoring technology that would avoid penetration of containment. This project will investigate the potential for a combined LIBS and Raman approach to be used to this end. The spectra and limit of detection of several gases of interest will be analysed in inert gas: Xenon and Krypton; to assess viability for fuel cladding failure during storage. (LIBS) Hydrogen and oxygen; to assess viability for water vapour detection during storage. (Raman) Nitrogen/air; to assess viability for container failure during storage. (Raman) This will determine if LIBS can detect these signature gases at practicable levels for deployment of the technique in a dry storage container. The project will also assess options for integrating LIBS/Raman into storage container design, including the use of optical windows, or embedded fibre optics. These data will determine if the use of LIBS in dry storage containers can reach sufficient TRL to beconsidered for deployment.