Selected Isotopes for Optimized Fuel Assembly Tags

Technical Report · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/989457· OSTI ID:989457

Gerlach, David C; Mitchell, Mark R; Reid, Bruce D; Gesh, Christopher J; Hurley, David E

In support of our ongoing signatures project we present information on 3 isotopes selected for possible application in optimized tags that could be applied to fuel assemblies to provide an objective measure of burnup. 1. Important factors for an optimized tag are compatibility with the reactor environment (corrosion resistance), low radioactive activation, at least 2 stable isotopes, moderate neutron absorption cross-section, which gives significant changes in isotope ratios over typical fuel assembly irradiation levels, and ease of measurement in the SIMS machine 2. From the candidate isotopes presented in the 3rd FY 08 Quarterly Report, the most promising appear to be Titanium, Hafnium, and Platinum. The other candidate isotopes (Iron, Tungsten, exhibited inadequate corrosion resistance and/or had neutron capture cross-sections either too high or too low for the burnup range of interest.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 989457
• Report Number(s): PNNL-17053 Vol 2; NN2001000; TRN: US1007097
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
BURNUP
CAPTURE
COMPATIBILITY
CORROSION
CORROSION RESISTANCE
CROSS SECTIONS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
HAFNIUM
IRON
IRRADIATION
ISOTOPE RATIO
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NEUTRONS
PLATINUM
STABLE ISOTOPES
TITANIUM
TUNGSTEN
Fuel Assembly Burnup
Isotope Ratio Method