Abstract A rapid, non-destructive method of detecting additives in a qualitative and a quantitative manner in a nuclear fuel material is disclosed. This method is based upon the magnetic susceptibility of certain additives in nuclear fuel which are monitored for quality control purposes. The method gives a comparison of the weight of the nuclear fuel material versus the weight of the nuclear fuel material when disposed in a magnetic field. This enables a calculation of the change in weight of the nuclear fuel material in the presence of a magnetic field for comparison with a calibration of weight changes for known additions of the additive. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a method is used for the non-destructive qualitative and quantitative detection of gadolinium, a burnable poison additive in nuclear fuel materials.
The method of claim 1 in which the nuclear fuel material is a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds of uranium, plutonium, thorium and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
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The method of claim 2 in which the nuclear fuel material is an oxide compound.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
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The method of claim 2 in which the nuclear fuel material is a carbide compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
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The method of claim 2 in which the nuclear fuel material is a uranium compound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
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The method of claim 1 in which the additive contains gadolinium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
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The method of claim 1 in which the additive is gadolinium oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
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The method of claim 1 in which the additive is plutonium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
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The method of claim 1 in which the magnetic field is at least about 2,500 gauss.