Fuel Rod Scanner for Quality Control and Safeguards

An automated fuel rod scanner which uses activation by 252Cf neutrons is described. This scanner is being used to measure the uniformity of fuel loading and the total fissile content of both UO2 and mixed oxide fuel rods. Multiple detectors with high sensitivity are used to reduce the 252Cf source strength requirement. Excellent electronic stability is attained by the use of current, rather than pulse electronics. An important feature of the scanner is its on-line minicomputer, which allows a high throughput of fuel rods using a small operating staff.