Application of Cdznte Detectors for Control of Initial Enrichment of Fresh Nuclear Fuel at Refueling

The task of determining the initial enrichment of nuclear fuel (NF) at nuclear power plants in real time is relevant for both economic indicators of operation of the power unit and for all components of nuclear safety (nuclear safety, security and safeguards). The technology used by nuclear fuel cycle companies is not suitable for use at nuclear power plants. It is proposed to use a measuring system based on CdZnTe semiconductor detectors designed to control the burn-up depth of nuclear fuel for estimating the initial enrichment of fresh nuclear fuel in fuel assemblies (FA). The initial enrichment is estimated with help of the gamma radiation of uranium isotopes of fresh nuclear fuel. A distinctive feature of the system that has been developed is the use of passive tomography technology to take into account the self-absorption of radiation in the FA. The promise of the proposed method for estimating initial enrichment is confirmed by experimental measurements and simulation results. It is shown that the system developed makes it possible to determine the enrichment of nuclear fuel, taking into account its profiling by the volume of FA. Also, the results of measurements confirmed the possibility of using the proposed technical solutions for CdZnTe detectors to create portable monitoring systems for special nuclear material in the field. The solution of this task is of great importance for national security. Key words: CdZnTe detectors / gamma-ray imaging / gamma-ray spectroscopy / special nuclear materials monitoring