Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Gamma Spectrometry Code Rodeo for Uranium Enrichment—FY 2022 Report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2573685· OSTI ID:2573685
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [5]
  1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
  2. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  3. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  4. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
  5. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

In the first two quarters of FY22, data acquisition continued at ORNL and LLNL using uranium sources of known enrichments. This was an FY21 task which could not be completed in FY21 because of problems encountered with the ORNL M400 CZT in Q4 of FY21, and the subsequent repairs. The detector was received back from H3D in the first of September 2021 , and the measurements resumed . Measurements using the repaired detector were completed in Q1 of FY22. The spectra were distributed by ORNL to the analyzing labs. Analysis results were received in Q2 of FY2022. The results from the various codes were intercompared and an ANOVA analysis was performed. Random and systematic uncertainties were established for each code. The ANOVA results and discussions were included in a revised version of FY21Annual Report issued in March 2022. A paper was presented at the INMM 2022Annual Conference, with the analysis results from the various isotopic codes, and the ANOVA table with random and systematic uncertainties. The Project Work Plan (PWP) for FY22 included a task to perform field testing of the M400 CZT and the analysis codes using UF6 cylinder measurements at the Framatome Fuel Fabrication Facility in Richland, WA. PNNL was the lead for the field testing task. PNNL drafted a Field Test Plan, and refined it based on comments received from the team. PNNL coordinated with Framatome facility, the logistics of carrying out the field testing . A collimator and shield made out of TFlex (tungsten impregnated polymer) was designed and professionally manufactured. The collimators were used in the field test measurements. The measurements at Framatome were completed on April 21, 2022. A total of 34 Type 30B cylinders were measured using three M400 detectors (PNNL, LLNL, and ORNL detectors). Measurements using M400 were taken at two locations on the side of each cylinder and from the end-on bottom location. Additionally, HPGe measurements were taken at the end-on location to establish ground truth. Cylinder wall thickness measurements were also made at all three locations. To gain a better understanding of the effect of background from surrounding cylinders, the same five cylinders measured individually in low background locations were measured again in the cylinder storage yards. Due to inclement weather, manufacturer delays, shipping delays, and equipment failure, the measurement campaign spanned twice as long compared to the original timeline. Gamma-ray spectra from M400 and HPGe detectors, along with the cylinder data and photographs were organized and shared with the collaborators for further analysis. Spectra were analyzed by the participating laboratories. FY22 PWP also consists of tasks related to plutonium source measurements, adapting the codes to analyze plutonium spectra, and inter-comparison of the results from various codes. Plutonium spectra are being acquired at LANL, ORNL, and LLNL. LANL, SNL and LLNL are in the process of modifying FRAM, GADRAS, and CZTU, respectively. The plutonium related tasks will be completed in Q2 of FY23.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
2573685
Report Number(s):
ORNL/SPR--2023/2869
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Uranium measurements in the field using high-resolution cadmium zinc telluride detectors
Journal Article · Sat Apr 20 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment · OSTI ID:2514355

Gamma spectrometry uranium isotopic analysis rodeo: Summary of GADRAS results
Technical Report · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · OSTI ID:1855016

Gamma and Neutron Measurement and Modeling of Irradiated TRISO Fuel
Technical Report · Thu Jul 31 20:00:00 EDT 2025 · OSTI ID:3002290