Determination of the ¹⁴⁴Ce/²³⁸U atomic ratio in spent nuclear fuel using double spike isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Abstract

The low abundant cerium-144 radionuclide is one of the significant contributors to the decay heat from spent nuclear fuel for cooling times of less than ten years after nuclear reactor...

An isotope dilution mass spectrometry overview: tips and applications for the measurement of radionuclides

“…specific isotopes of Cs, Ce and Nd) present in an irradiated fuel can be very indicative of how much fission has taken place, and hence such isotopes can be used as fission burn-up monitors. 213 Information about the extent of fission in a particular fuel (rod) is very useful knowledge for the safe and correct operation of an NPP. In the case of non-power reactors, which are used for material testing, R&D, and training purposes for example, the trend to switch from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuels (an anti-proliferation measure) has involved the testing of a range of fuels that differ quite substantially, in chemical and physical form, and enrichment, from those used in NPPs.…”

Innovative ICP-MS/MS Method To Determine the 135Cs/137Cs Ratio in Low Activity Environmental Samples

“…Intercalibration gains between Faraday cups are daily measured and the fluctuation of the electronic gains are lower than 20 ppm/day. The used method is so-called sequential: , the filament is heated at different temperatures in order to reach different values of the 133 Cs + signal (respectively 30 mV, 200 mV, 500 mV, 1 V, and 3 V). For each heating step, 6 blocks of 10 measurement cycles are performed with an integration time of 5 s. For each cycle, half-masses are measured and applied.…”

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of metals, chemicals and materials

“…Beaumais et al focused on the assessment of 144 Ce/ 238 U in spent nuclear fuel. 181 This is because 144 Ce is a signicant contributor to decay heat from spent fuel less than ten years aer reactor discharge. A double spike isotope dilution TIMS approach was developed, focusing on chemical separation of isobaric 144 Nd and preparation of an in-house natural Ce/ 233 U double spike.…”