Media & Resources

Smart-Sip^TM High Definition Fuel Sipping

May 26, 2020

Vacuum canister sipping is a sensitive fuel leak detection method and the preferred technique for verifying fuel cladding integrity prior to dry cask storage and for identifying leaking fuel bundles during refueling outages. Nevertheless, traditional vacuum canister sipping sometimes fails to identify leaking fuel bundles and is not adequate for sizing cladding breaches. Smart-Sip™ incorporates a patented inline fission gas removal system that facilitates much higher fidelity fuel leak detection and characterization capabilities than can be achieved with traditional vacuum canister sipping equipment. Using the Smart-Sip™ system, hairline cracks and pinholes may be identified and dispositioned, allowing for better differentiation between fuel bundles that are damaged and those that are acceptable for return to service or dry cask storage.