| Issue |
EPJ Web Conf.
Volume 338, 2025
ANIMMA 2025 – Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Article Number | 04035 | |
| Number of page(s) | 5 | |
| Section | Research Reactors and Particle Accelerators | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202533804035 | |
| Published online | 18 November 2025 | |
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202533804035
Validation of working of acoustic sensor for fission gas release characterization devoted to Jules Horowitz reactors in harsh condition up to 350°C and 120 bar
1 IES, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
2 CEA-DES-IRESNE, Cadarache, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
3 CEA-DES-ISAS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
* This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published online: 18 November 2025
Abstract
For several years, the IES laboratory has been collaborating with the CEA to develop acoustic instrumentation for nuclear applications. As part of this collaboration, the IES acoustic team is designing a miniaturized sensor capable of measuring gas composition in situ within a fuel rod. Initial evidence of this approach dates back to 2010 with the REMORA 3 experiment, conducted in the OSIRIS reactor at CEA Saclay, which enabled acoustic measurements of fission gas release at 150°C. The new sensors, however, are designed to operate up to 300°C, thanks to a modified Bismuth Titanate (NBT) piezoelectric material, integrated by screen printing on an alumina substrate.
This paper focuses on an experiment conducted in January 2024 in a high-pressure vessel at CEA Saclay, where the sensors were tested at 350°C and 120 bar in various gas mixtures. Impedance and acoustic signal measurements were performed to evaluate sensor ageing and performance. After 79 hours, slight degradation was observed, but the sensor continued to emit acoustic signals and demonstrated its potential for reliable in situ gas composition monitoring. These results are a key step toward validating the device before irradiation tests planned for 2025.
Key words: Fission gas release / High temperature / Nuclear Instrumentation / Ultrasonic sensor
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2025
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