Abstract: A method of measuring moisture carryover (MCO) in a nuclear reactor includes placing a first gamma detector adjacent to a steam conduit configured to transport steam generated by the core. The method additionally includes detecting a first amount of carryover gamma activity of a first quantity of sodium-24 in the steam within the steam conduit with the first gamma detector. The method also includes detecting a second amount of reference gamma activity of a second quantity of sodium-24 in a reference sample of reactor water from the core with a second gamma detector. The method further includes determining a flow rate of liquid water entrained in the steam based on the first amount of carryover gamma activity detected by the first gamma detector and the second amount of reference gamma activity detected by the second gamma detector.

Abstract: Dry tube tooling systems can manipulate dry tubes in reactors without removing all fuel next to the tubes, saving considerable outage time and allowing fresh detectors and instrumentation to be installed throughout fuel shuffling. Bodies of the tooling fits through a top guide and secure to the same without completely surrounding the dry tube or requiring all nearby fuel to be removed. The tooling includes a retainer that moves to secure to the dry tube and vertically and/or horizontally move the same. The retainer can release or install the dry tube in a fixed core location through such movement. Dry tubes can thus be installed and/or removed by operating the tooling from a bridge or crane above the reactor. The movement of the retainer can be achieved by power or signals from the operators to move and grasp the dry tube in a desired manner.

Abstract: Dry tube tooling systems can manipulate dry tubes in reactors without removing all fuel next to the tubes, saving considerable outage time and allowing fresh detectors and instrumentation to be installed throughout fuel shuffling. Bodies of the tooling fits through a top guide and secure to the same without completely surrounding the dry tube or requiring all nearby fuel to be removed. The tooling includes a retainer that moves to secure to the dry tube and vertically and/or horizontally move the same. The retainer can release or install the dry tube in a fixed core location through such movement. Dry tubes can thus be installed and/or removed by operating the tooling from a bridge or crane above the reactor. The movement of the retainer can be achieved by power or signals from the operators to move and grasp the dry tube in a desired manner.