In-service Inspection of Material Properties through Opaque Fluids and Liquid Metals in Hostile Environment

In-service Inspection of Material Properties through Opaque Fluids and Liquid Metals in Hostile Environment Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is conducting research and development into advanced in-service and inspection technologies for advanced reactor system with an initial focus on under-sodium viewing technologies. These technologies are required for the inspection through opaque fluids or liquid metals in a hostile environment, such as under inert atmospheres and high temperatures. An innovative ultrasonic waveguide transducer technology is in development and testing at Argonne National Laboratory to provide a technology for the inspection of system and components through liquid metals, such as sodium, and other opaque fluids. This system uses an ultrasonic transducer situated on top of a low noise waveguide to provide a robust signal transmission and sensing through high temperature sodium at 350 °C. The technology is still in development and, however, has been demonstrated to achieve in-sodium defect detection resolutions of 0.5 mm in both width and depth in real-time. In additional, the technology has demonstrated that it is capable of identifying components with circular surfaces and various 3D geometries. Input from companies and vendors is solicited to understand potential areas of interest other than high temperature under-sodium viewing applications. Other potential applications may include metal and casting applications, geothermal applications, petroleum applications, nuclear waste and storage applications, etc. Besides defect detection and component identification, the technology can also be used for process monitoring and quality control of material properties, thickness, etc. Interested companies are preferred but not required to have experience and expertise in ultrasonic technologies, but should have on-line instrumentation and control capability or experience to integrate the technology with their process. Argonne National Laboratory is seeking information, comments, feedback, and recommendation from interested parties to understand other potential industrial uses (besides under-sodium viewing) for the high temperature waveguide ultrasonic viewing technology that may lead to Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), or Work for Others (WFO) agreements. For further information, please respond H.T. Chien at Argonne National Laboratories by email [email protected] , [email protected] or by FAX 630-252-4901.