A combined volumetric verification procedure based on bubble-tube manometry and lutetium spike
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Bubble-tube manometry is the most accurate currently available method for precision volumetric measurements of solutions in process tanks containing special nuclear materials. Bubble tubes installed in the accountability tank by the facility operator are instrumented with a precision pressure transducer and a programmable pneumatic multiplexing system. In a process-solution measurement technique currently under development, a spike solution containing a known amount of lutetium is added to the Accountability appropriate measures are taken to homogenize the tank contents, and a sample of the homogenized solution is analyzed by isotopic dilution mass spectrometry. Each method offers unique advantages when applied to independent verification of the special nuclear material content of process solutions for the purposes of international safeguards. The methods are compared with regard to attributes such as intrusiveness, authentication independent of the facility operator, value for process operations, suitability for continuous unattended process monitoring, technical implementation challenges, accuracy, inspection effort and cost. A solution-volume verification proce-dure emphasizing the complementary aspects of both methods is proposed.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 10173832
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-60021; CONF-940748-77; ON: DE94016730; IN: SSN-94-06
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 35. annual meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM),Naples, FL (United States),17-20 Jul 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1994]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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