Layer dimensions are key parameters for as-fabricated tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel as well as for post-irradiation examination of particle performance. Layer thicknesses are typically measured by optical microscopy of the particle cross section near mid-plane, while layer volumes are estimated with serial sectioning and microscopy. This method for measuring layer volumes is limited due to the resolution limit imposed by slice thickness and the effect of the polishing process on delicate irradiated particle microstructures. Image processing software has been developed to segregate the three-dimensional (3D) TRISO particle images provided by x-ray computed tomography (XCT) into high-resolution volumetric data for the kernel, all particle layers, and any internal voids introduced during irradiation. These data can be used to analyze key in-reactor behaviors of TRISO particles such as kernel swelling or buffer shrinkage, which are important inputs for fuel performance modeling.

层尺寸是制造的三向同性（TRISO）颗粒燃料以及辐射后颗粒性能检查的关键参数。层厚通常通过光学显微镜对中平面附近的颗粒横截面进行测量，而层体积则通过连续切片和显微镜进行估算。由于切片厚度所施加的分辨率极限以及抛光过程对精细的辐照微粒微观结构的影响，因此用于测量层体积的方法受到了限制。已开发出图像处理软件，以将x射线计算机断层扫描（XCT）提供的三维（3D）TRISO粒子图像分离为内核，所有粒子层以及在辐照过程中引入的任何内部空隙的高分辨率体积数据。