In-Field Alpha Spectrometry to Assess Uranium Enrichment In Uranium Hexafluoride
Conference
·
OSTI ID:1637662
- Idaho National Laboratory
- ORNL
A new In-Field Alpha Spectrometry (IFAS) system is being developed to allow quick turnaround measurements of uranium enrichment in uranium hexafluoride (UF6) samples. Samples are collected using specially-designed Single-Use Destructive Assay (SUDA) wafers which have an absorptive film of zeolite deposited onto a quartz or metal substrate. The SUDA samples, along with a special holder, are designed to be attached directly to a sampling tap at a gas centrifuge enrichment plant or a uranium conversion facility, allowing gaseous UF6 to come into direct contact with the zeolite. The zeolite absorbs this material and converts it into stable, safe UO2F2 within a few minutes. Once the sample has been collected it is transferred to the IFAS system where a solid-state, silicon alpha spectrometer is used to quantitatively measure the alpha emissions from 234U, 235U, and 238U in the sample. The IFAS system is a small, light-weight device that can be quickly turned on and put into use. The SUDA samples and IFAS hardware are designed so that thin-film spectra are produced, allowing a complete measurement with a final 235U:Utotal determination having a precision <±2% to be made in less than eight hours. This short time frame will allow an inspector to get results on-site within one working shift; further innovations may reduce this to even shorter times.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (NA-20)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1637662
- Report Number(s):
- INL/CON-20-57162-Rev001
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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