Destructive versus Nondestructive Assay Comparisons Using the SWEPP Gamma-ray Spectrometer
In support of data quality objectives for the INEEL Stored Waste Examination Pilot Plant (SWEPP) a series of 208-liter (55-gallon) waste drums containing inorganic sludge have been sampled and destructively analyzed. The drums were non-destructively assayed by the SWEPP PAN system and the SWEPP Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (SGRS) prior to sampling. This paper reports some of the conclusions from the destructive versus NDA comparisons, and additionally presents the results of an on-going effort to use the destructive analyses to validate absolute efficiency curves calculated using Monte-Carlo and analytical modeling for the SGRS. Destructive analysis results are available from radiochemical assay of 128 sludge-containing drums. The content codes represented are CC001 (42 items), CC002 (8), CC007 (48), CC800 (16), CC803 (3), and CC807 (11.) Each drum had two full-length vertical cores removed from designated radial positions. The entire length of each core was composited and submitted for analysis. All of the core composites were analyzed radiochemically for Am-241, Pu-239/240, and Pu-238, and by inductively-coupled mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for U-235 and U-238. Not only have the destructive analysis results been useful in documenting the performance of both the SGRS and the PAN system, but also have allowed the determination of certain absolute counting efficiency values for the SGRS. The values, in turn will allow us to validate SGRS counting efficiencies computed by MCNP and analytical modeling, and perhaps use the SGRS as an absolute assay technique.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC07-99ID-13727
- OSTI ID:
- 911385
- Report Number(s):
- INEEL/CON-99-00054; TRN: US200724%%749
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 6th Nondestructive Assay Waste Characterization Conference,Salt Lake City, UT,11/17/1998,11/19/1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ABSOLUTE COUNTING
EFFICIENCY
INEEL
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
PERFORMANCE
PILOT PLANTS
SAMPLING
SIMULATION
SLUDGES
SPECTROMETERS
WASTES
destructive analysis
inductively-coupled mass spectrometry (ICPMS)
non-destructively assayed
Stored Waste Examination Pilot Plant (SWEPP)
SWEPP Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (SGRS)
waste drums