Date of Award

2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

Department

Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering

First Advisor

Bahram Nassersharif

Abstract

Nuclear energy is a form of energy that utilizes the fissile nature of uranium, or other fissionable elements, to produce heat. In a uranium core, this reaction consists of a thermalized neutron being absorbed by the uranium nucleus, splitting the atom, and thus creating two subsequent fission products, along with the release of three neutrons, heat, and gamma radiation. These fission products are randomly generated elements, commonly in the form of isotopes of iodine, cesium, strontium, xenon, and barium. Although the type of fission products is known, much is still unknown about the nature of these isotopes, such as their distribution across the length of the uranium fuel and the concentration of these isotopes.

The purpose of this study is to design and construct an apparatus that will precisely translocate a nuclear fuel element along the x-axis for alignment, then the z-axis for scanning purposes in front of an HPGe (high-purity germanium) detector such that the discharged fuel's radioisotope inventory may be modeled and studied. The innovative apparatus was constructed to autonomously move the fuel element along the z-axis using a linear actuator and stepper motor that will be controlled via remote control. In addition, a beam port that extends from the fuel element to the aluminum window behind which the HPGe detector will be seated was fabricated, allowing for a much higher resolution scan. This innovative modeling technique will allow for breakthroughs in improving naval materials development, instrumentation accuracy, autonomous vessel resilience, surveillance component survivability, and next-generation platform radiation readiness.

The construction of both the fuel-moving apparatus and the beam port system were tested with factors of safety in mind. The weight bearing capabilities, accuracy, and installation times were all studied, and their results showed that both systems were successfully implemented into the RINSC facility, and that the process of scanning the fuel elements is ready to begin.

Comments

The contents of this report contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). All CUI has been removed from this report.

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