Using the acoustic frequency response of special nuclear material packages to measure internal pressure

This paper investigates the acoustic frequency response of a Magnox package with internal pressure ranging from below atmospheric pressure to 3 bar. Vibrational resonant frequencies are measured using electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) and a finite element (FE) model is used to aid in interpreting the experimental results. This work builds on two previous studies that explored the vibrational resonant frequency response of Magnox packages at internal pressures above atmospheric pressure and addresses a gap in the literature by extending the analysis over a wider pressure range than these packages. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between the measured and modelled frequencies, validating the accuracy of the FE model in predicting the vibrational behaviour of the Magnox package under different pressure conditions. This work provides deeper insights into the acoustic characteristics of Magnox packages, which are essential for their ongoing safe and effective management.