The “RB” reactor uranium fuel enrichment verification by gamma-ray spectroscopy

Gamma spectrometry analysis of natural and 2% enriched uranium metal fuel at the RB reactor was performed by germanium gamma spectrometer applying developed computer code ANA. Different samples of the RB reactor uranium fuel, placed at various distances from the Ge detector, were used during measurements. Gamma-ray self-absorption in the fuel material and the geometrical corrections were included in the calculation performed by computer code EFI based on a Monte Carlo method. Evaluated experimental data were used to determine branching ratio for the 1001 keV gamma line of ^234mPa which is in equilibrium with ²³⁸U. Obtained results were in good agreement with the results of other authors. Applied gamma spectrometry method is used for examination of the fresh fuel composition and validation of isotopic enrichment of the 2% enriched uranium fuel at the RB reactor.