Tests of cosmic ray radiography for power industry applications

TL;DR

This paper evaluates muon multiple scattering tomography as a safe, non-destructive method for inspecting nuclear power plant components, offering potential advantages over traditional x-ray techniques.

Contribution

It demonstrates the feasibility of using muon tomography for industrial inspections in nuclear power, highlighting its advantages and specific application scenarios.

Findings

Muon tomography can effectively monitor concrete degradation.

It provides a safe alternative for inspecting pipe walls and valves.

Potential for minimal operational disruption in power plants.

Abstract

In this report, we assess muon multiple scattering tomography as a non-destructive inspection technique in several typical areas of interest to the nuclear power industry, including monitoring concrete degradation, gate valve conditions, and pipe wall thickness. This work is motivated by the need for radiographic methods that do not require the licensing, training, and safety controls of x-rays, and by the need to be able to penetrate considerable overburden to examine internal details of components that are otherwise inaccessible, with minimum impact on industrial operations. In some scenarios, we find that muon tomography may be an attractive alternative to more typical measurements.