27. Mass Spectrometer for Reactor Fuel Research

Abstract

This chapter discusses the mass spectrometer for reactor fuel research. The chapter designs a mass spectrometer capable of determining the isotopic content of uranium, thorium, and plutonium in irradiated fuel samples. Reactor fuel is subject to chemical reprocessing because an appreciable amount of fissionable material remains unused in present day reactor systems. For reactor performance and behavior considerations, as well as for economic reasons, it is necessary to know at any instant the isotopic content of uranium and plutonium in spent fuel as precisely as possible. If a chemical solution of the dissolved fuel is available it is possible to get the necessary information with a mass spectrometer especially adapted to handle radioactive substances. Thus, two main aspects of the mass spectrometer to be dealt with are (1) proper sample preparations combined with the application of special ion sources and (2) glove-box-type operation.