- Institution Name
- Idaho National Laboratory
- Name
- Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF)
- Building
- MFC-785
- Primary Facility Type
- Post Irradiation Examination
- Secondary Facility Type
- Hot Cells
- Tertiary Facility Type
- Fuel Fabrication
- Core Functions
- The Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) is a multi-program hot cell facility. There are two adjacent shielded hot cells (the main cell and decontamination cell), a shielded metallography box, an unshielded hot repair area, and a waste-characterization area. HFEF provides shielding and containment for remote examination, processing, and handling of highly radioactive and TRU-bearing materials in its argon-atmosphere hot cells, unshielded labs, support areas and special equipment for handling, examining, and testing of highly radioactive materials.
- Unique Functions
- Nondestructive and destructive post-irradiation examination of irradiated samples in two large, heavily shielded hot cells. Machining and disassembly of fuel and material experiments. Neutron radiography/neutron tomography. Visual examination and dimensional examination. Gamma scanning/gamma tomography. Fission-gas-release measurement. Sample preparation for metallography, chemical and isotopic analysis, and optical microscopy. Mechanical testing of irradiated fuels and materials. Bench-scale electrochemical separations research. Handling and loading facilities capable of receiving large shipping casks and fuel pins up to 13 feet long. Furnaces for simulating accident conditions at temperatures up to 2,000°C for extended periods of time.
- Hotwork Facilities
- high activity + alpha/gamma cells. 3 gloveboxes (Walker, SE-3x3x12, WIPP-8x8x16)
- Support Equipment
- HazCat2. NRAD (250 kW Training Research Isotope General Atomics (TRIGA)) reactor, PTS to Analytical Lab for chemical analysis, large cask handling (larger than 17 ft long by 56 in in diameter or 30 tons), IASCC facility, metallographic cell with SEM (METBOX).
- Radiological Limit
- <100mr/hr @ 30cm
- Materials Allowed
- alpha/beta/gamma
- Sample Encapsulation
- various
- Atmosphere
- argon in Main cell and air in Decon cell.
- Commissioning Date
- 1974
- Recent Upgrade
- 2014
- RAM License
- Department of Energy
- License End Date
- 2099
- Docket Number
- 0
- User Facility
- No
- GAIN Partner
- No
- NSUF Partner
- Yes
- NE Use Percentage
- No NE Use Percentage Defined
- Utilization Hours
- No Utilization Hours Defined
- Number Of Users
- No Number Of Users Defined
- Number Of Staff
- No Number Of Staff Defined
- Point Of Contact
- Alina Zackrone
- Website URL
- https://mfc.inl.gov/SitePages/Hot%20Fuel%20Examination%20Facility.aspx
- Proposal URL
- https://nsuf.inl.gov/
- Date Of Data
- No Date Of Data Defined
- Image Name
- HFEF--P-9067-14.jpg
About Us
The Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) is the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy's only designated nuclear energy user facility. Through peer-reviewed proposal processes, the NSUF provides researchers access to neutron, ion, and gamma irradiations, post-irradiation examination and beamline capabilities at Idaho National Laboratory and a diverse mix of university, national laboratory and industry partner institutions.
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