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THE DETERMINATION OF URANIUM ISOTOPE ABUNDANCES AND REACTOR FUEL BURNUP BY MASS SPECTROMETRY

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4692916
ABS>The theory and use of a triple filament thermal emission source and mass spectrometer used for the measurement of isotopic abundances and reactor fuel burnup are described. It is shown that uranium isotopic abundances may be measured at the 0.03 to 95% levels with a standard deviation of 0.002 to 0.018, respectively, with an accompanying relative error of from 4.2 to 0.06%, respectively. The method used to determine reactor fuel burnup is described and is shown to have a standard deviation of 0.14 and 0.03 at 9.35% fission burnup and 1.59% capture levels, respectively. A comparison of burnup measurements made by the mass spectrometer method is shown to agree favorably with the radiochemical technique. (auth)
Research Organization:
Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Div., United Aircraft Corporation. Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Lab., Middletown
DOE Contract Number:
AT(30-1)-2789
NSA Number:
NSA-17-026769
OSTI ID:
4692916
Report Number(s):
PWAC-393
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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