The USDOE mobile non-destructive assay and examination system
A mobile system for non-destructive assay (NDA) and non-destructive examination (NDE), developed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, provides accurate and sensitive determination of quantities of transuranic (TRU) isotopes contained in 208-/ell/ drums of wastes and furnishes images of the contents for further sorting purposes. The NDA unit consists of four major subsystems: an assay chamber, counting and digital electronics, data acquisition, and a neutron generator. It performs both active and passive neutron measurements for the determination of the amount of fissile isotopes at a sensitivity level of 1 mg plutonium, and the determination of the spontaneous fission and (..cap alpha..,n) isotopes at a comparable level. A complete assay consists of sequential active and passive measurements. The data analysis includes various matrix corrections and a determination that the drum does or does not exceed the 100-nCi/g threshold for TRU wastes. The NDE unit is used to examine for liquids and other materials that are prohibited for long term storage of the drums. An x-ray camera images the contents of 208-/ell/ drums that are brought into the system on a conveyor and rotated in front of an x-ray source. Free liquids can be detected by shaking the drum and observing liquid motion on the video screen. Made to fit on flatbed trailers, the entire system can be transported to a Department of Energy (DOE) facility and be ready for operations within 5 hours after arrival. Field tests have been performed on three separate occasions, accomplishing more than 1800 waste drum examinations. 8 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 7146025
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-88-1465; CONF-8806151-1; ON: DE88010958
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: U. S. DOE/DOD and CEA-France symposium, Tours, France, 20 Jun 1988
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Mobile non-destructive assay system
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
ALGORITHMS
CALIBRATION
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DIGITAL CIRCUITS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEUTRON MONITORS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
MONITORS
RADIATION MONITORS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
WASTES
440101* - Radiation Instrumentation- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments
052000 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Management