Research on ring artifact reduction method for CT images of nuclear graphite components
Tianchen Zeng1,2,3, Jintao Fu1,2, Peng Cong1,2
1Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology
|February 20, 2025
Summary
A new physics-based method significantly reduces ring artifacts in computed tomography (CT) images of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) components. This enhances defect detection and improves the reliability of non-destructive testing for reactor safety.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nuclear Engineering
- Image Processing
Background:
- High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGR) utilize over 3000 carbon/graphite components requiring computed tomography (CT) non-destructive testing.
- Ring artifacts in CT images, caused by detector non-uniformity, hinder effective defect detection in these critical components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a physics-based method for reducing ring artifacts in CT images.
- To improve the accuracy and reliability of defect inspection in HTGR components.
Main Methods:
- Proposed a physics-based ring artifact reduction technique utilizing pixel response correction.
- Incorporated prior knowledge of the object being scanned to enhance artifact correction accuracy.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 37.7% reduction in ring total variation (RTV), significantly improving image quality.
- Outperformed traditional and machine learning methods in artifact reduction while preserving image details.
Conclusions:
- The developed method effectively mitigates ring artifacts, enhancing defect inspection performance for HTGR components.
- This advancement is crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of non-destructive testing in nuclear reactor applications.
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