Integrated Near Real-Time Plutonium Inventory System for LWR Reprocessing Solutions

Conference · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6136822

Rebagay, T. V. ^[1]; Lee, R. S. ^[1]; Huff, G. A. ^[1]; Lang, E. J. ^[1]; Henderson, B. C. ^[1]

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1. Allied-General Nuclear Services (AGNS), Barnwell, SC (United States)

Nuclear safeguard and nonproliferation concerns have generated worldwide interest on reliable and timely nuclear material control and accountability systems. A system employing on-line total and isotopic plutonium concentration monitors that are compatible with the chemical and radiation environments of an experimental coprocessing system employing a modified Purex process has been developed, fabricated, and demonstrated. In-process plutonium from the first to the final purification cycle has been accurately determined in near-real-time by direct gamma ray spectrometry. Each critical measurement stream was monitored by using a cell that has been carefully calibrated for that stream. The assay of low levels of plutonium (0.1 - 15 g/l) was accomplished by using radiation-resistant and chemically inert plastic cell windows. The more concentrated plutonium solutions were analyzed by interposing appropriate gamma ray adsorbers between the cell and the monitor's detection system. Data acquisition and processing were fully automated and continuous, allowing rapid optimization of the coprocessing flowsheet and timely detection of any attempt to divert the plutonium. The collective outputs of the stream-specific monitors formed on integrated inventory system for the experimental facility.

• Research Organization: Allied-General Nuclear Services (AGNS), Barnwell, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-78ET35900
• OSTI ID: 6136822
• Report Number(s): AGNS-35900-Conf-137; CONF-810847-1; ON: DE81025445; TRN: 81-014999
• Resource Relation: Conference: 28. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Symposium, Amsterdam (Netherlands), 17 - 22 Jul 2022; Related Information: https://photoiupac2022.amsterdam/
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
ACCOUNTING
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
AUTOMATION
DATA ACQUISITION
DATA PROCESSING
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
REAL TIME SYSTEMS
SAFEGUARDS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
PROCESSING
REACTORS
SPECTROSCOPY
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
In-Process Plutonium
Inert Plastic Cell Windows
Integrated Inventory System
Modified Purex Process
055001* - Nuclear Fuels- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability- Technical Aspects
400103 - Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures- (-1987)