Determination of 235U/238U atom ratio in uranium samples using liquid scintillation counting (LSC)

A correlation has been developed for the determination of 235U/238U atom ratio in uranium samples using liquid scintillation counting (LSC). The 235U/238U atom ratio determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) was correlated to the ratio of (i) α-count rate and (ii) Cerenkov count rate due to 234mPa in the sample; both measured by LSC. This correlation is linear over the range of 235U/238U atom ratio encountered in the nuclear fuel samples, i.e. the low enriched uranium (LEU) samples with 235U < 20 atom%. The methodology based on this correlation will be useful for the quick determination and verification of 235U/238U atom ratios in fuel samples using cost effective technique of LSC.