Nondestructive Testing of Isotope Containment Capsules: Remote Ultrasonic Test Station UT-40

R. W. Steffens · F. M. Coffman

Jan 1968 · Pacific Northwest Laboratory

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Because of the toxic nature of the radioactive materials contained in an isotopic capsule, the ultrasonic evaluation of the containment vessel is most safely performed remotely. Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL), under the sponsorship of the Atomic Energy Commission,* developed the Remote Ultrasonic Test Station UT-40 for installation at Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL) in cooperation with the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Comapny and ORNL. The basis for the UT-40 design was establisehd at PNL during the ultrasonic test development program for the establishment of the integrity of the SNAP-21 and SNAP-23 peripheral end-cap welds. SNAP-21 capsules were used to evaluate the UT-40 tester, and the resultant ultrasonic waveforms and recordings are used as examples throughout this report. The test station was designed to accommodate a wide range of right cylinder capsules and to provide ORNL with a versatile broadband test instrument. The remote UT-40 test tank facilitates right cylinder capsules with diameters up to eight inches and lengths up to twelve inches; thus versatility for testing future isotope capsule designs is provided. The broadband ultrasonic tester is a "general use" laboratory instrument with special facilities for integration with the UT-40 remote test tank. This report gives the operating instructions and system descriptions of the UT-40 Test Station. (*) United States Atomic Energy Commission Contract AT(45-1)-1830.