Dissolution of Pu from molten solidified Cu contained inside refractory alumina crucible

Uranium and plutonium oxides are being used as nuclear fuels in light water as well as fast breeder reactors. The quality of fabricated nuclear fuel should meet certain stringent chemical specifications before introducing into nuclear reactor. Hence, they undergo comprehensive chemical quality control for trace impurities, oxygen-to-metal ratio, stoichiometry and isotopic compositions etc. Trace impurity are categorised into metallic and non-metallic type. The non-metallic impurity like carbon beyond permissible limit carburizes the clad and on long run lead to failure of fuel pin. Hence, carbon analysis in nuclear fuel is very much important. Moreover, the stoichiometry of carbon in the carbide fuel materials is also stringent and being determined. Carbon analysis is being routinely done by converting it to CO₂ and quantified by IR spectrometry. During this process, nuclear fuel sample (~200-250mg) is being heated upto 12000 C in oxygen for the conversion of carbon to CO₂