Application of x-ray fluorescence spectrometry for identification of unirradiated pebble-bed reactor fuel element

This paper deals with the investigation of the potential application of x-ray-fluorescence spectrometry for the identification of unirradiated fuel elements for the pebble-bed reactor. Measurements were carried out on graphite spheres impregnated with different chemical elements at various concentrations. The intensities of the Ksub(α) lines of these trace elements, as a function of concentration, were measured in order to establish the optimal concentrations needed for fuel-element identification, and the required sensitivity of the spectrometer employed. These measurements have shown that x-ray-fluorescence methods can be employed with advantage for identifying pebble-bed-reactor fuel elements. There are enough suitable chemical elements and a wide range of concentrations of each element, which may be used for this purpose. (author)