Described herein are methods and systems for improved inspection, measurements, monitoring, and tracking of equipment installed underwater. They include structures or equipment installed in a nuclear reactor and fuel storage pools. This includes, but is not limited to an entire nuclear reactor pool, an entire nuclear reactor, fuel assemblies, fuel assembly identification numbers, core barrels, core plates, lower internals, upper internals, fuel transfer systems, alignment pins, baffle walls, former baffle assemblies, vessels, instrument ports, coolant tubes, spent fuel pools, dry cask storage areas, weir gates, steam dryers, steam separators, top guides, jet pumps, inside and outside of pipes, and weld seams. The described methods and devices increase the performance and integrity of the inspection and measurements during nuclear refuel, inspection or outage activities. The described methods and devices utilize one or more non-touch underwater optical system (including laser systems) for underwater equipment inspection, measurements, maintenance, monitoring, tracking and servicing.

The single rod ultrasonic leak detection tool will be used to detect leaking fuel rods by evaluation if there is water inside the rod. The test will be performed by moving one fuel rod between two ultrasonic transducer oriented in a pitch/catch configuration. The detection tool uses ultrasonic transducers as the primary method to detect leaking fuel rods. Two probes are preferably positioned near the fuel rod in a pitch/catch or transmitting/receiving configuration. One probe 36 sends the signal into the rod and the other probe of a set of probes receives the signal. An evaluation of the received signal is performed in various embodiments, to determine leak tightness of the fuel rod. In various aspects, two sets of probes may be utilized so that measurements can be taken on both sides of the fuel rod.

The single rod ultrasonic leak detection tool will be used to detect leaking fuel rods by evaluation if there is water inside the rod. The test will be performed by moving one fuel rod between two ultrasonic transducer oriented in a pitch/catch configuration. The detection tool uses ultrasonic transducers as the primary method to detect leaking fuel rods. Two probes are preferably positioned near the fuel rod in a pitch/catch or transmitting/receiving configuration. One probe 36 sends the signal into the rod and the other probe of a set of probes receives the signal. An evaluation of the received signal is performed in various embodiments, to determine leak tightness of the fuel rod. In various aspects, two sets of probes may be utilized so that measurements can be taken on both sides of the fuel rod.

Method for long-term dry storage of spent nuclear fuel includes injecting the inert gas into a cavity formed in a cask between inner and outer lids under pressure greater than the pressure of the inert gas in the inner cavity of the cask in which the spent nuclear fuel is located. The cask contains a body with a spent nuclear fuel container placed in it, tight inner and outer lids forming a cavity into which the inert gas is pumped under pressure greater than the pressure in the inner cavity of the cask. The outer lid comprises a labyrinth hole closed with a flange and sealed with a gasket. The flange comprises an angle valve, to which at least two pressure sensors are connected. The angle valve and sensors are covered with a protective cover during long-term storage. The gasket is installed in an annular groove of the lower flange.

A system for monitoring fissile material contents inside of a nuclear reactor can include at least a first neutron detector positioned outside a radiation shield and configured to detect a plurality of neutrons originating from the reactor core and having passed through the radiation shield, and configured to generate a first output signal, and a controller communicably linked to the first neutron detector to receive the first output signal and a power output of the nuclear reactor.

An analysis device (10) for the detection of fission products by measurement of a radioactivity includes a first line (12) for carrying a liquid sample, a first detector (17) connected to the first line (12) and designed for measuring the radioactivity of fission products contained in the liquid sample, a second line (23) for carrying a gas sample and a second detector (29) connected to the second line (23) and designed for measuring the radioactivity of fission products contained in the gas sample. The analysis device includes a separation device (18) for separating gas from the first line (12) carrying the liquid sample, which line has an outlet opening into the second line (23) for removed gas in such a manner that the removed gas can be supplied as a gas sample to the first detector (17) for measuring the radioactivity of fission products contained therein.

An analysis device (10) for the detection of fission products by measurement of a radioactivity includes a first line (12) for carrying a liquid sample, a first detector (17) connected to the first line (12) and designed for measuring the radioactivity of fission products contained in the liquid sample, a second line (23) for carrying a gas sample and a second detector (29) connected to the second line (23) and designed for measuring the radioactivity of fission products contained in the gas sample. The analysis device includes a separation device (18) for separating gas from the first line (12) carrying the liquid sample, which line has an outlet opening into the second line (23) for removed gas in such a manner that the removed gas can be supplied as a gas sample to the first detector (17) for measuring the radioactivity of fission products contained therein.

A system for monitoring fissile material contents inside of a nuclear reactor can include at least a first neutron detector positioned outside a radiation shield and configured to detect a plurality of neutrons originating from the reactor core and having passed through the radiation shield, and configured to generate a first output signal, and a controller communicably linked to the first neutron detector to receive the first output signal and a power output of the nuclear reactor.

A system for monitoring fissile material contents inside of a nuclear reactor can include at least a first neutron detector positioned outside a radiation shield and configured to detect a plurality of neutrons originating from the reactor core and having passed through the radiation shield, and configured to generate a first output signal, and a controller communicably linked to the first neutron detector to receive the first output signal and a power output of the nuclear reactor.

The disclosure relates to a device for checking a fuel rod comprising a testing container having first and second chambers, a first checking device arranged in the testing container, wherein the testing container has at least one inlet opening, at least one outlet opening, and an insertion opening for inserting the fuel rod into the second chamber, and wherein a valve is arranged in a connecting channel connecting the first and the second chamber. A method is disclosed for checking a fuel rod in a water-filled basin of a submerged nuclear plant having such a device, wherein the fuel rod is inserted into the second chamber of the testing container through the insertion opening while the valve is closed, wherein a fluid is fed in via the at least one inlet opening, and wherein the valve is opened in order to check the fuel rod with the first checking device.