AHLBERG CAMERAS | ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
Reliable Fuel Rod Inspection with the Ahlberg Cameras MINI-RAD F30
Compact HD colour camera replaces legacy monochrome tube cameras in high-radiation fuel inspections
ACCURATE VISUAL INSPECTION IS A critical part of nuclear fuel management. When utilities or service providers suspect potential damage to fuel rods, high-quality imaging and reliable equipment are essential to ensure safe and efficient analysis. During a recent fuel rod inspection campaign on boiling water reactor (BWR) fuel, the fuel service team from Framatome GmbH relied on the Ahlberg Cameras MINI-RAD F30 to carry out detailed inspections under demanding radiation conditions. Framatome Fuel Services GmbH, often operating through its subsidiary Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH (ANF) in Lingen, Germany, is a leading supplier of nuclear fuel and related services in Europe. The company manufactures fuel rods and fuel assemblies for both pressurized water reactors (PWR) and boiling water reactors (BWR). In addition to manufacturing, Framatome provides a wide range of services including fuel management, inspection services, engineering support, and consulting to help utilities optimize fuel cycles and ensure the highest levels of safety and performance.
During the inspection project, the Framatome fuel inspection team investigated BWR fuel assemblies to identify possible damage caused by a suspected fuel leak. For this demanding task, they used the Ahlberg Cameras MINI-RAD F30 equipped with a 5.0 mm non-browning lens. The MINI-RAD F30 is specifically designed for nuclear environments where commercial standard cameras would quickly fail due to radiation exposure. The MINI-RAD color camera can often take more than 50 kGy in dose, so it is a good replacement for many inspection tasks where tube cameras previously have been used. One of the most critical requirements during nuclear inspections is the ability to maintain image clarity even after significant radiation exposure. Over the course of the inspection campaigns, the MINI-RAD F30 demonstrated exceptional radiation tolerance. During the first inspection campaign, the camera received a radiation dose of 3.38 kGy. In a second campaign, the camera accumulated an additional 7.58 kGy. In total, the camera was exposed to approximately 10.96 kGy during the entire project at the nuclear power plant. To accurately monitor the radiation exposure, two
dosimeters were installed during the project. These measurements confirmed the accumulated dose and demonstrated the camera’s ability to continue operating reliably even after exposure to high radiation levels. In many applications within nuclear power plants, maintaining reliable equipment performance after repeated exposure to radiation is essential for long-term inspection programs. Despite the demanding environment, the MINI-RAD F30
continued to deliver high-quality images throughout the entire inspection campaign. The combination of a camera module and the specialized non-browning lens ensured
that the images remained sharp and detailed, allowing the inspection team to clearly identify potential fuel rod defects and assess the condition of the fuel assemblies. Image quality is a crucial factor in fuel inspections. Even
small defects, such as surface damage or irregularities caused by leaks, must be detected quickly and accurately. The MINI-RAD F30’s high-definition imaging capability provides inspectors with the visual detail necessary to perform reliable evaluations inside reactor environments. Another key advantage of the MINI-RAD F30 is its
rugged design and build quality. Developed specifically for nuclear applications, the camera is engineered to withstand not only radiation but also challenging operational conditions such as limited space, underwater operation, and demanding handling requirements typical in reactor inspections. The success of the inspection campaign demonstrates the importance of using specialized equipment designed for nuclear environments. The MINI-RAD F30 proved to be a dependable tool for Framatome’s inspection team, providing consistent performance, excellent image quality, and strong resistance to radiation exposure. As nuclear operators and service providers continue
to focus on safety, efficiency, and long-term plant performance, reliable inspection technologies play an increasingly important role. The Ahlberg Cameras MINI-RAD F30 represents a powerful solution for nuclear inspections, combining advanced imaging performance with the durability required for high-radiation environments. Through this project, the camera once again demonstrated why it is trusted by nuclear professionals worldwide for demanding inspection tasks inside nuclear power plants. ■
Above: The image shows a damaged fuel rod from another supplier, which is inspected with the MINI-RAD F30 camera equipped with a 5 mm non-browning lens Source: Framatome.
Above: This is the inspection tool test setup that was used to confirm that the MINI-RAD camera could deliver images with good quality when only placed 10 mm from a single fuel rod. Source: Framatome.
www.neimagazine.com | April 2026 | 89
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112
