Nuclear energy - Determination of Gd2O3 content in gadolinium fuel blends and gadolinium fuel pellets by atomic emission spectrometry using an inductively coupled plasma source (ICP-AES)

This document is applicable to the determination of gadolinium as Gd2O3 in powder blends and sintered pellets of Gd2O3 + UO2 and ((U, Gd) O2) from mass fraction 10 g/kg to 100 g/kg (i.e. 1 % to 10 %), using a suitable ICP-AES instrument. This methodology is capable of demonstrating compliance with agreed upon fuel specifications and associated data quality objectives provided the user has performed qualification measurements under their established measurement control program to demonstrate that measurement uncertainty requirements will be met with the desired level of confidence at the specification.