Comparative assessment of the Pu content of MOX samples by different techniques

Abstract

The isotopic composition and concentration of Pu in eight "high-burn-up" mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel samples has been determined by destructive and non-destructive techniques. In addition, the U concentration and U isotopic composition was also available from the destructive techniques. The applied non-destructive techniques were gamma spectrometry, calorimetry and neutron coincidence counting, while the destructive techniques were titration, alpha spectrometry and thermal ionization mass spectrometry combined with isotope dilution. The current study describes the measurements and compares the results obtained by the mentioned techniques. Some lessons learned for the improvement of the non-destructive assay are also discussed.