Abstract

Poolside measurements of fission gas release (FGR) in fuel pins have been made using gamma-ray spectroscopy with a Ge detector, measuring 85Kr activity in the fuel rod plenum. The gamma-ray energy spectra from irradiated nuclear fuel are characterized by prominent Compton distributions that can obscure the weak 514-keV 85Kr peak. To improve the sensitivity, the detector has been provided with an anti-Compton shield of six Bi3Ge4O12 detectors. Laboratory tests of the detector system showed that the maximum peak-to-Compton (p/c) ratio was improved by a factor of ~6. The results of the poolside measurement p/c ratio showed a somewhat smaller improvement (a factor of ~4) because of scattered gamma radiation from the surrounding material. However, the precision in the poolside FGR measurements was improved substantially utilizing the Compton shield.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call