Remote-controlled NDA (nondestructive assay) systems for process areas in a MOX (mixed oxide) facility

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5901332

Miller, M C; Menlove, H O; Augustson, R H; Ohtani, T; Seya, M; Takahashi, S; Abedin-Zadeh, R

Nondestructive assay (NDA) systems have been designed and installed in the process area of an automated mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication facility. These instruments employ neutron coincidence counting methods to measure the spontaneous-fission rate of plutonium in the powders, pellets, and fuel pins in the process area. The spontaneous fission rate and the plutonium isotopic ratios determine the mass of plutonium in the sample. Measurements can be either attended or unattended. The fuel-pin assay system (FPAS) resides above the robotic conveyor system and measures the plutonium content in fuel-pin trays containing up to 24 pins (/approximately/1 kg of plutonium). The material accountancy glove-box (MAGB) counters consist of two slab detectors mounted on the sides of the glove box to measure samples of powder or pellets as they are brought to the load cell. Samples measured by the MAGB counters may contain up to 18 kg of MOX. This paper describes the design and performance of four systems: the fuel-pin assay system and three separate MAGB systems. The paper also discusses the role of Monte Carlo transport techniques in the detector design and subsequent instrument calibration. 5 refs., 11 figs., 6 tabs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5901332
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-89-2178; CONF-890736-58; ON: DE89015274
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050700* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Fuels Production & Properties
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ACTINIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CONTROL
ELEMENTS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL FABRICATION PLANTS
FUEL PINS
FUELS
METALS
MIXED OXIDE FUEL FABRICATION PLANTS
MIXED OXIDE FUELS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PLUTONIUM
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REMOTE CONTROL
ROBOTS
SOLID FUELS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS