General Electric Company

Henry Bernatowicz

Frederick C Schoenig, Jr

Leonard N Grossman

Alan M Portis

Typical nuclear fuel material contains tramp ferromagnetic particles of random size and distribution. Also, selected amounts of paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material can be added at random or at known positions in the fuel material. The fuel material in its nonmagnetic container can be scanned by magnetic susceptibility change detecting apparatus to provide a unique signal waveform of the container of fuel material as a signature thereof. At subsequent times in its life, the container similarly can be scanned to provide subsequent signatures. Comparison of the signatures reveals any alteration or tampering with the fuel material.

Signature surveillance of nuclear fuel

Method and apparatus for the nondestructive determination of the amount and quantitative distribution of a paramagnetic additive such as gadolinia in nuclear fuel elements. Changes in paramagnetic susceptibility of the material in the element are detected as the element is passed through a constant magnetic field and compared to the changes in susceptibility produced by a standard element of known additive content.

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Henry Bernatowicz