Spent fuel attribute tester.
A portable spent fuel attribute tester (PSFAT) for the
verification of WWER type nuclear fuel assemblies was developed by the
safeguards group of the Department and it is now in routine use at the
Paks power plant. The attribute tester is based on medium resolution
gamma spectrometry using a CdZnTe detector. The equipment is primarily
designed for distinguishing between low-burnup spent-fuel assemblies,
absorbers and Co-containers stored in the spent fuel pond (even in the
neighbourhood of other strong gamma-emitting assemblies), without the
need to move the assemblies. In this way the attribute tester can
help the safeguards inspectors in the situations when Cherenkov
viewing devices are not usable. The group has also experience in
using high-resolution gamma spectrometry and neutron counting
techniques for examining reactor fuel rods.
