Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika

The peer-reviewed scientific and technology journal. ISSN: 0204-3327

Non-contact Pressure Measurement in Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Containers Based on Mechanical Response to Heat Exposure

9/17/2026 2026 - #03 Fuel cycle and nuclear waste management

Bobrovskiy Y.O.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2026.3.09

UDC: 621.039.743; 53.083.9; 539.3

Depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUHF) containers are stored at outdoor areas of enrichment facilities for decades. While stored, a dangerously high excess pressure can occur inside them, which can result in an accident while opening. The pressure is expedient to be controlled regularly for detection of potentially dangerous containers in advance. However, pressure measurement by means of traditional gauges may be impossible, which demands usage of non-contact pressure measurement methods. The existing non-contact pressure measurement methods are of little use in DUHF containers pressure control. Article purpose is to describe a fundamentally new method of non-contact pressure measurement in relation to DUHF containers pressure control. The method involves using strain and temperature sensors to detect container response to heat exposure and subsequent using measure results for pressure calculation. A simple theoretical relationship coupling measured strain and temperature with pressure by means of A and B coefficients is given. A and B coefficients definition issues have been investigated. Accuracy assessment of non-contact pressure measurement in DUHF container by means of described method has been executed. The minimal achievable pressure measurement absolute error, taking into account A and B errors, was ± 1,2 atm. The minimal achievable pressure measurement absolute error, without taking into account A and B errors, was ± 0,4 atm. The high errors are explained by a high stiffness of the DUHF container.

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radioactive waste management nuclear safety depleted uranium hexafluoride non-contact pressure measurement mechanics of deformable solid shell stress-strain state strain measurement

Link for citing the article: Bobrovskiy Y.O. Non-contact Pressure Measurement in Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Containers Based on Mechanical Response to Heat Exposure. Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika. 2026, no. 3, pp. 123-141; DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2026.3.09 (in Russian).

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