Measurements of stable ruthenium fission products in nuclear reactor fuel samples
Abstract Ruthenium isotopes produced by fission in nuclear materials could be valuable signatures for nuclear verification or non-proliferation monitoring. In this study, ruthenium (Ru), uranium (U), and plutonium (Pu) isotope ratios and concentrations were measured in six different samples taken al...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85980-6 |
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| author | Genna M. Patton Zachary A. Torrano Amanda Salazar Jeffrey Miller Matthew E. Sanborn Susan K. Hanson |
| author_facet | Genna M. Patton Zachary A. Torrano Amanda Salazar Jeffrey Miller Matthew E. Sanborn Susan K. Hanson |
| author_sort | Genna M. Patton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Ruthenium isotopes produced by fission in nuclear materials could be valuable signatures for nuclear verification or non-proliferation monitoring. In this study, ruthenium (Ru), uranium (U), and plutonium (Pu) isotope ratios and concentrations were measured in six different samples taken along a single nuclear fuel rod from a pressurized water reactor (PWR). The Ru isotope ratios $$^{100}$$ Ru/ $$^{101}$$ Ru, $$^{102}$$ Ru/ $$^{101}$$ and $$^{104}$$ Ru/ $$^{101}$$ Ru increase upon moving from the end of the rod towards the center, correlating with the amount of burnup of the fuel indicated by U and Pu isotope ratios. Ruthenium fission product concentrations also increase near the center of the rod, consistent with other isotopic and elemental concentration data indicative of burnup. The measured Ru ratios clearly comprise inputs from both fission and neutron capture reactions. These measurements serve as important experimental validation of previous theoretical studies suggesting that Ru isotope ratios reflect the burnup of nuclear fuel and could be used to distinguish between reactor types. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5da59df7decc4646b2316cd21cb5799d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-5da59df7decc4646b2316cd21cb5799d2025-02-09T12:36:39ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-85980-6Measurements of stable ruthenium fission products in nuclear reactor fuel samplesGenna M. Patton0Zachary A. Torrano1Amanda Salazar2Jeffrey Miller3Matthew E. Sanborn4Susan K. Hanson5Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Chemistry DivisionNuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Chemistry DivisionNuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Chemistry DivisionNuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Chemistry DivisionNuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Chemistry DivisionNuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Chemistry DivisionAbstract Ruthenium isotopes produced by fission in nuclear materials could be valuable signatures for nuclear verification or non-proliferation monitoring. In this study, ruthenium (Ru), uranium (U), and plutonium (Pu) isotope ratios and concentrations were measured in six different samples taken along a single nuclear fuel rod from a pressurized water reactor (PWR). The Ru isotope ratios $$^{100}$$ Ru/ $$^{101}$$ Ru, $$^{102}$$ Ru/ $$^{101}$$ and $$^{104}$$ Ru/ $$^{101}$$ Ru increase upon moving from the end of the rod towards the center, correlating with the amount of burnup of the fuel indicated by U and Pu isotope ratios. Ruthenium fission product concentrations also increase near the center of the rod, consistent with other isotopic and elemental concentration data indicative of burnup. The measured Ru ratios clearly comprise inputs from both fission and neutron capture reactions. These measurements serve as important experimental validation of previous theoretical studies suggesting that Ru isotope ratios reflect the burnup of nuclear fuel and could be used to distinguish between reactor types.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85980-6RutheniumBR3 reactorBurnup |
| spellingShingle | Genna M. Patton Zachary A. Torrano Amanda Salazar Jeffrey Miller Matthew E. Sanborn Susan K. Hanson Measurements of stable ruthenium fission products in nuclear reactor fuel samples Scientific Reports Ruthenium BR3 reactor Burnup |
| title | Measurements of stable ruthenium fission products in nuclear reactor fuel samples |
| title_full | Measurements of stable ruthenium fission products in nuclear reactor fuel samples |
| title_fullStr | Measurements of stable ruthenium fission products in nuclear reactor fuel samples |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measurements of stable ruthenium fission products in nuclear reactor fuel samples |
| title_short | Measurements of stable ruthenium fission products in nuclear reactor fuel samples |
| title_sort | measurements of stable ruthenium fission products in nuclear reactor fuel samples |
| topic | Ruthenium BR3 reactor Burnup |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85980-6 |
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