Dry calorimetry at the Savannah River Site

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10135374· OSTI ID:10135374

ReFalo, L A

Heat flow calorimeters are used at the Savannah River Site to assay radioactive sources by measuring the emitted thermal power. The radioactive source is placed in a constant temperature environment and its thermal output is measured by non-destructive assay techniques. The isotopic mass is computed from the measured power through known watts/gram constants for each of the isotopes. The Equipment Engineering Section of the Savannah River Laboratory has developed calorimetric techniques which provide major improvements over other calorimeters. Improvements are in the areas of greater precision, reduced maintenance, and thermal control without using water. The elimination of water reduces criticality concerns during assay of fissionable materials and reduces health concerns during assay of tritium. Equipment Engineering Section has developed two basic dry calorimeter designs. The designs are identical in concept; however, they differ to accommodate different power levels. Each design has been tested demonstrating proof of concept. The current designs are for low wattage samples, .1 to 10 watts, and high wattage samples, 40 to 140 watts.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• OSTI ID: 10135374
• Report Number(s): WSRC-MS-92-032; ON: DE92011051
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: [1992]
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATION SOURCES
CALORIMETRY
CALORIMETERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
DESIGN
HEAT TRANSFER
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
HEAT FLOW
RELIABILITY
440101
070207
GENERAL DETECTORS OR MONITORS AND RADIOMETRIC INSTRUMENTS
RADIATION SOURCE METROLOGY