Investigation of Fuel Crud by Means of ICP-MS and TEM

Dissolved and suspended solid corrosion products (crud) from structural elements in LWRs are of concern since the incorporation of short-lived nuclides like ⁶⁰Co in such oxide layers is a dominant source of the radiation exposure. To determine the mechanisms of the nuclide incorporation, detailed information on the formation and nature of crud is required, especially regarding the chemical composition, molecular coordination and crystal structure. The paper describes the methodology for the characterization of the chemical composition of crud and of the Pt distribution in crud (relevant if Online NobleChem^TM is applied) by means of ICP-MS and TEM as well as the sample preparation techniques.