Fuel characterization techniques: current methods practised at the Instituto de Pesquisas energéticas e nucleares, Brazil

Abstract

The paper outlines the present status of fuel characterization methods which are practised at the Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN, Brazil, to be applied in the field of process and product control of oxide powder and pellets for reactor application. The main fuel characteristics usually determined in product and process control of UO 2 powders and pellets are chemical, physical, isotope enrichment, geometrical and microstructural. Instrumental, wet chemical and physical laboratories have been set up to provide the adequate attendance to the above necessities. The main characterization methods established in these laboratories are described.