Application of Cherenkov Effect to Increase the Safety of Nuclear Plants

Development of atomic power engineering with nuclear fuel cycle brings forward the requirement of the condition control of the spent nuclear fuel (SNF). First of all, these are burnup, isotope structure of nuclear materials and fission products, data on the condition of shells of fuel elements, etc. It should be noted that detailed analysis of the specified parameters is important at all stages of the nuclear fuel life cycle at the nuclear power plant and in general at plant independently of the reactor type. Various aspects of increasing the safety of nuclear plants working on thermal neutrons are discussed. A new method based on application of Cherenkov effect and optical fiber for measurement of the nuclear radiation power, identification of the spent fuel assemblies and determination of the burning factor of the nuclear fuel is considered. Knowledge of burnup depth and isotope structure is necessary for elaboration of recycling strategy or burial of radioactive wastes. It is also important to reliably identify the spent fuel assemblies (SFA) to exclude the possibility of leak of the SNF, which may be used for manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. (author)