Recent Applications In Nuclear Materials Assay And Protection

Over the past few years, with the maturing of the nuclear industry, increasing amounts of nuclear material are being processed through the fuel cycle. More and more fuel is reaching the latter or post-irradiation stages of the cycle. In previous INMM meetings, we have reported on ways non-destructive nuclear fuel assay could be used in quality assurance and material control of fresh fuel, ranging from powder to complete fuel bundles. This paper covers the extension of these techniques to an improved and versatile, bulk fuel assay machine and to assay of irradiated fuel. Also described is the use of Door Monitors to prevent diversion of strategic nuclear material.