Analysis methods and performance of an automated system for measuring both concentration and enrichment of uranium in solutions

Conference · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:10178051

Kelley, T A; Parker, J L; Sampson, T E

For the 1992 INNM Meeting, we reported on an automated system under development for measuring both concentration and enrichment of uranium in solutions. In this paper, we report on measurement methods, ysis algorithms, and performance of the delivered system. The uranium concentration is measured by a transmission-corrected x-ray fluorescence method. Cobalt-57 is the fluorescing source and a combined {sup 153}Gd and {sup 57}Co source is used for the transmission measurements. Corrections are made for both the absorption of the exciting {sup 57}Co gamma rays and the excited uranium x-rays. The {sup 235}U concentration is measured by a transmission-corrected method, which employs the 185.7-keV gamma ray of {sup 235}U and a transmission source of {sup 75}Se to make corrections for the self-absorption of the {sup 235}U gamma rays in the solution samples. Both measurements employ high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry and use the same 50-m{ell} sample contained in a custom-molded, flat-bottomed, polypropylene bottle. Both measurements are intended for uranium solutions with concentrations {ge}0.1 g U/{ell} although at higher enrichments the passive measurement will be even more sensitive.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 10178051
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--93-2669; CONF-930749--40; ON: DE93018464
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

055001
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400101
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ACTIVATION, NUCLEAR REACTION, RADIOMETRIC, AND RADIOCHEMICAL PROCEDURES
AUTOMATION
COBALT 57
CORRECTIONS
ENRICHED URANIUM
ENRICHMENT
GADOLINIUM 153
GAMMA DETECTION
GAMMA RADIATION
GE SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
SOLUTIONS
TECHNICAL ASPECTS
TRANSMISSION
URANIUM 235
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS