Plutonium waste crib logging using the prompt fission neutron uranium logging system

Technical Report · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5388521

Barnard, R W; Stephenson, W A

Sandia Laboratories' Uranium Logging Project has demonstrated their prompt fission neutron (PFN) logging system at the Hanford, WA, site for Rockwell-Hanford Operations (RHO). The dates of the demonstration were July 31 through August 2, 1979. The purpose was to show RHO the capabilities of the system for measuring plutonium concentration. An underground effluent disposal crib associated with their processing facilities was used as the test site. The performance criterion was to be able to detect a 10 nCi/g concentration of plutonium. Six test wells penetrating the crib were logged, as were three other wells. The PFN tool was able to maintain a good signal-to-noise ratio even under the most extreme conditions of high count rate and high background. The wells at the center of the crib indicated very high concentrations of plutonium, while those at the periphery indicated much less. Concentrations estimated to be lower than 10 nCi/g were detected. Comparisons with core data were not made. The technique used to obtain physical samples for analysis did not follow uranium-exploration coring practice so comparisons were not possible. The data interpretation model used was originally developed for uranium and was modified to calculate plutonium concentration. Results indicated that the operation of a PFN logging system by RHO personnel would provide a suitable technique for monitoring transuranic waste storage sites.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5388521
• Report Number(s): GJBX-122(80); SAND-79-2131
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ACTINIDES
ELEMENTS
HANFORD RESERVATION
MANAGEMENT
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEUTRON LOGGING
PERFORMANCE
PLUTONIUM
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVITY LOGGING
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WELL LOGGING