Research

Improving quantitative analysis of hydrogen isotopes in tritium producing burnable absorber rods (TPBAR) components via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy using a Double-pulsing Scheme

The accurate detection and quantification of hydrogen isotopes, most notably tritium (3H), in tritium-producing burnable absorber (TPBAR) components is essential to post-irradiation examination (PIE) and developing an improved understanding of 3H production and retention. Given the omnipresent nature of 1H,  several challenges exist for detecting and quantifying H isotopes using traditional laboratory instrumentation. This work aims to use laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the analysis of 3H in TPBAR components and specifically evaluate experimental parameters for improved 3H quantification.  The proposed work builds upon previous work on LIBS for isotopic analysis of light elements of TPBAR components. However, prior work demonstrated that self-absorption occurs in the LIBS plume with high concentrations of H isotopes and affects quantification accuracy. We propose addressing self-absorption in LIBS using a double pulsing scheme and analyzing high 2H concentrations in Zircaloy-4 (where 2H serves as a proxy for 3H). These developmental efforts will improve our ability to use LIBS for rapid and quantitative analysis of H isotopes, which is critical for measuring the H isotope distribution along the length of (and through) Zircaloy-4 components, essential to post-irradiation examinations, and improving 3H permeation modeling efforts.

Sponsor: Department of Energy – National Nuclear Security Administration, Tritium Modernization Program) 
Participants: North Carolina State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

New Award, November 2022-September 2023