System and method for making nuclear fuel elements with a controlled number of nuclear particles

Abstract

An optical counter is used in a method and system for producing a nuclear fuel element having a known volume of homogeneously distributed nuclear material. The method includes feeding nuclear fuel kernels along a channel having a conveyer configured to transmit the kernels to an exit; driving the conveyer until a target number of kernels exits the channel through the exit; and counting a number of kernels which pass through the exit of the channel with an optical counter. The conveyer is stopped after the target number of nuclear fuel kernels exits the channel. The target number of nuclear fuel kernels are fed into a mold, and void space remaining in the mold is filled with a particulate matrix material so as to homogeneously distribute the target number of nuclear fuel kernels within the matrix material. The matrix material is then converted into a solid matrix material.