Multicore High Temperature Irradiation Resistant Demicouple

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Multicore High Temperature Irradiation Resistant Demicouple A new demicouple sensor technology for harsh environments that provides multiple temperature readings in one compact probe. Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize the Demicouple technology. Overview: This technology is a new multicore high temperature irradiation resistant demicouple that provides multiple temperature readings in one compact probe designed for high temperature harsh environments. The traditional HITRY-TC molybdenum vs. niobium thermocouple junction is still utilized but is condensed to make a more compact sensor. Reactor fuel verification tests can cost millions of dollars per test and are essentially blind tests that are not instrumented. They rely instead on the “cook-and-look” method to be observed in a hot cell following an irradiation test. INL’s demicouple technology condenses 2 to 5 (or more) high temperature irradiation resistance molybdenum vs. niobium temperature probes into one 1/16” diameter probe, halving the number of wires used. This increases crucial information about the fuel behavior during irradiation and reduces the number of tests to be performed. Description: This technology utilized the sheathing material as one of the thermoelements in the sensor, which enables halving of the number of wires utilized. The sheathing material is a common leg to each of the opposing wires within the sheath paraxially placed throughout. It is estimated that up to 22 demicouple junctions can be housed inside a single sheath with a ¼ inch outer diameter. By sharing the common leg between each wire, uncertainty of temperature fields is reduced by directly measuring temperature differences throughout. Benefits: Uses fewer parts Drastically reduced costs, potentially millions of dollars saved Fewer parts used increases the quantity of sensors that can be made Simpler design for manufacturing No need for harsh welding and manufacturing processes Leads to fewer failure modes The demicouple is inherently grounded Leads to faster response time A 4x reduction in cross-sectional area Leads to higher sensor density Provides true comparison readings between sensors (direct vs. indirect) 4x uncertainty reduction over individual sensors for same measurement/reading Unprecedented measurement locations Applications: Nuclear reactors Vacuum temperature sensors Temperature averaging probe in large isothermal furnaces Development Status: TRL 5, (Laboratory/bench scale production) IP Status: INL is seeking to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available. Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Kala Majeti at [email protected] or 248-877-8866.