System and method for performing active scanning of a nuclear fuel rod

A system for performing active scanning on a nuclear fuel rod, the system comprising:

• a) a neutron generator sub-system comprising:
• i) an electrically-driven neutron generator including an ion source, an accelerator, a chamber, and a target in said chamber, wherein said ion source and accelerator are configured to generate an ion beam that strikes said target thereby generating neutrons in said chamber in a continuous manner when said neutron generator is on;
• ii) a moderator surrounding said chamber and configured to moderate said neutrons generated by the neutron generator, thereby generating a predetermined neutron flux;
• and
• iii) a first fuel rod channel disposed within the moderator, the first fuel rod channel configured to receive a first nuclear fuel rod and subject the first nuclear fuel rod to said predetermined neutron flux in a continuous manner,
• wherein the first fuel rod channel includes an internal epithermal shell having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein said inner layer is closer to said first fuel rod than said outer layer when said first fuel rod is in said first fuel rod channel,
• wherein said inner layer is configured to scatter fast neutrons into an epithermal region, and
• wherein said outer layer is comprised of burnable poison and configured to absorb thermal neutrons;
• and
• b) a scanning sub-system located outside of said neutron generator sub-system, wherein said scanning sub-system comprises
• i) a plurality of radiation detectors, and
• ii) a computer, electronics, and software for operating said scanning sub-system, and
• wherein said predetermined neutron flux induces a secondary radiation from said first nuclear fuel rod of prompt and delayed gamma emissions, neutron emission, or a combination thereof that are detected by the plurality of radiation detectors so as to allow said scanning sub-system to determine an amount of fissile material in the first nuclear fuel rod and a spatial distribution of the fissile material along a length of the first nuclear fuel rod.