Patent ID: 7778378
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A leak detection method for testing fuel rods of fuel assemblies of a boiling water reactor for leaks, wherein a plurality of fuel assemblies are arranged adjacent one another in a cell of an upper core grid of the boiling water reactor, the method which comprises the following method steps: defining a division as being a plurality of cells; placing a hood above the division for simultaneously heating the fuel assemblies therein; taking at least one water sample from each cell of the division for detecting any radioactive fission products which may emerge from any fuel rod of each fuel assembly of the division; combining the water samples from a plurality of cells into a group and testing the water samples for the presence of radioactive fission products contained therein; simultaneously, and independently of one another, analyzing a plurality of groups in an equal number of measurement channels of an analysis device; on registering a positive result in a given group, separately feeding the water samples from each of the cells located in the given group to the analysis device and analyzing the water samples separately in a corresponding number of measurement channels for determining which cells have a positive result; and separating the hood from the division and individually testing fuel assemblies of positively analyzed cells outside the hood.