The Evolution of a Nuclear Fuel Welding and Ultrasonic Inspection Machine for Improved Quality and Process Control

Abstract

GE Nuclear Energy Production produces Nuclear Fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. The basic product of the GE Nuclear Fuel business is a fuel bundle made up of a square matrix (8x8), (9x9), or (10x10) of fuel rods in a spacer assembly surrounded by an outer channel. BWR nuclear power plants can have up to 700 bundles in their reactor at any one time. The fuel rod consisting of a tube loaded with UO₂ pellets, and closed with welded endplugs is shown in figure 1. The integrity of the fuel rods is of great importance in order to keep radioactive materials out of the water systems. A rod failure (leak) that causes a customer to shutdown can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.