Measuring method for gadolinium content in nuclear fuel pellets

Purpose: To measure the gadolinium content in pellets in a non-destructive manner and rapidly by using a relatively simple device. Method: A plurality of pellets of known gadolinium contents different from each other are prepared. A constant current is passed through two points in each of the pellets and a voltage drop therebetween is measured to determine a resistance value between the two points. Then, a graph for the calibration curve of the gadolinium content and the resistance value is prepared. Then, the resistance value is determined for a pellet with unknown gadolinium content, which is corresponded to the graph of the calibration curve to determine the unknown gadolinium content. (Ikeda, J.)