Neutron radiography at safari-l in south africa

Abstract The Atomic Energy Corporation of South Africa (AEC) owns and operates a 20MW Materials Testing Reactor (SAFARI-1) on their Pelindaba site near Pretoria. One of the various beam tubes is utilized to perform neutron radiography (NR). This facility was originally a dedicated design for the analysis of spent fuel pins from the Koeberg nuclear power plant, using film detection methods. As part of the commercialisation drive at the AEC, this facility was upgraded to accommodate general industrial samples, supplementing its existing X-ray radiography facility, to provide a better and more comprehensive non-destructive examination (NDE) service to the South African industry. In this paper the upgraded NR facility at SAFARI-1 will be described regarding the collimator features, electronic imaging device and software. Case studies originating from the motor vehicle industry, aircraft industry, general engineering as well as the archaeological and pyrotechnics environment will be presented.