MONITORS FOR THE PREDICTION OF ALTERNATE NUCLEAR MATERIAL CONCENTRATIONS FOR PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR SPENT FUEL

摘要

A methodology for determining alternate nuclear material (~237Np, ~241Am, and ~243Am) concentrations in spent nuclear fuel based on the use of various monitors was developed and validated for use with several pres- surized water reactor fuels. The monitors studied in- cluded the fuel burnup, the total plutonium concentration, the ~240Pu/~239 pu isotopic ratio, the ~148Nd/~238U isotopic ratio, and the ~137 Cs activity.